Aizawl: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway line and flagged off the state’s maiden Rajdhani Express, linking Aizawl with Delhi.
The ₹8,070-crore Bairabi–Sairang rail project, among the most challenging in Indian Railways’ history, was sanctioned in 2008-09 and construction began in 2015. The line spans 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six underpasses. Notably, Bridge No. 144 near Sairang — at 114 metres — is taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar and is India’s tallest pier railway bridge.
Covering stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, Sairang and Bairabi, the new route is expected to provide Mizoram with safe, efficient and cost-effective connectivity while ensuring the steady supply of food grains, fertilisers, and other essentials. Officials said it will cut travel time, enhance passenger and freight services, and boost tourism and employment — fulfilling a long-pending demand of the people.
On the occasion, Modi also flagged off three express trains: Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express, Sairang–Guwahati Express, and Sairang–Kolkata Express. He further laid foundation stones for several projects across railways, roadways, energy, and sports.
These include the ₹500-crore, 45-km Aizawl Bypass Road under the PM-DevINE scheme to ease city congestion and improve links to Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lengpui Airport, and Sairang railway station. Under the NESIDS (Roads) scheme, the Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road will benefit horticulture, dragon fruit, paddy and ginger farmers, while the Khankawn–Rongura Road in Serchhip district will support the upcoming Ginger Processing Plant and improve market access.
Modi also laid foundations for the Chhimtuipui bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road, a Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall, and an LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang. Additionally, he inaugurated a residential school at Kawrthah under PMJVK and an Eklavya Model Residential School at Tlangnuam.
