Aizawl Joins National Rail Network As Centre Accelerates N-E Connectivity Projects

In a major boost for Northeast railway connectivity, Mizoram’s capital Aizawl has now been linked to the national railway network via the Bairabi–Sairang line.

Sairang, 20 km from Aizawl, will serve as the railhead for the city. Until now, Bairabi in Kolasib district was Mizoram’s only railway station.

The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect the line this week.

A senior Railway Ministry official confirmed that the formal inauguration is likely after June 17, post-inspection.

The Bairabi–Sairang project spans 51.38 km and has a revised cost of ₹5,021.45 crore. It includes 48 tunnels, 142 bridges, and one standout structure—Bridge No. 196—rising 104 metres, taller than the Qutub Minar.

As of now, the project is nearly complete with 94.52% physical and 97.13% financial progress.

The Bairabi–Hortoki section was commissioned in July 2024, and the remaining segments are expected to be operational by June.

Wider Push Across Northeast India

Significantly, Aizawl becomes the fourth northeastern capital to be rail-linked after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, similar railway expansion in Northeast states is gaining pace:

Nagaland’s capital, Kohima, will be connected via the 82.5-km Dhansiri–Zubza line by December 2029.

Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh will link to Assam’s Murkongselek by February 2026.

Sikkim’s first rail project, Sivok–Rangpo (45 km), is scheduled for completion in December 2027.

Manipur’s capital, Imphal, will be connected via the 111-km Jiribam–Imphal line, now 91% complete.

In parallel, Assam is seeing upgrades through major doubling projects, including Agthori–Kamakhya and New Bongaigaon corridors. These will enhance capacity and improve logistics.

Strong Investment & Future Plans

As of April 2024, the government has spent ₹40,549 crore on 18 ongoing railway projects across the Northeast, which cover a total of 1,368 km.

The region has also seen 21 new surveys sanctioned since 2021.

Additionally, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme will upgrade key stations in all northeastern states.

Two new Amrit Bharat trains are also planned for the region, complementing the existing Vande Bharat service between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri.

Clearly, the Centre is ramping up its focus on integrating the Northeast into the national transport grid, both for connectivity and strategic growth.

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