What Will PM Modi Unveil in Mizoram with the Bairabi–Sairang Railway Line?

Aizawl, Sep 13 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Aizawl on Saturday morning as part of his two-day visit to the Northeast, where he is set to launch several development initiatives valued at over Rs 9,000 crore. Among the highlights of his visit is the inauguration of the 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang railway line along with the flag-off of three new trains.

The remarkable Bairabi-Sairang railway project will establish Aizawl as the fourth capital in the Northeast with railway connectivity, joining Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar.

A senior official from the Mizoram government indicated that the Prime Minister, accompanied by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and several Central Ministers, will flag off the three new trains after the railway inauguration on Saturday.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), mentioned that these trains will significantly improve rail connectivity from the state capital to key destinations nationwide.

The newly introduced trains include the Sairang-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Rajdhani Express (weekly), Kolkata-Sairang-Kolkata Express (tri-weekly), and Guwahati-Sairang-Guwahati Express (daily).

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who arrived in Aizawl on Friday, announced that the Prime Minister would officially inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang railway line which has already seen an investment of Rs 8,070 crore.

Vaishnaw highlighted the challenges of the project, which includes 45 tunnels and 55 major bridges, and stated that it would bring transformative changes to the lives of Mizoram's residents.

He added that in addition to the three express trains, one will be the Sairang-Delhi Rajdhani Express, another will be the Mizoram Express operating daily to Guwahati, and a third will be the tri-weekly train to Kolkata.

A goods train is also set to commence operations starting Sunday.

Prior to 2014, the budget for railway projects in the Northeast was merely Rs 2,000 crore, which has now increased five-fold under the Modi government, according to the Union Minister.

Railway officials indicated that this enhanced connectivity will improve access to hospitals, educational institutions, and markets, thereby reinforcing educational, cultural, and economic links throughout the region.

This initiative is expected to create job opportunities and significantly enhance tourism in the area.

In addition to railway projects, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for several road projects, including the Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn–Rongura Road.

A Mizoram government official explained that the 45 km Aizawl Bypass Road, costing over Rs 500 crore, under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) scheme aims to alleviate congestion in Aizawl and enhance connectivity to Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lengpui Airport, and Sairang Railway Station, among others.

This project is expected to cut travel time from southern districts to Aizawl by approximately 1.5 hours, greatly benefiting local residents.

The Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, funded under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), is set to aid many horticultural farmers, dragon fruit growers, rice cultivators, and ginger processors while enhancing linkage with the Aizawl–Thenzawl–Lunglei Highway.

The Khankawn–Rongura Road in Serchhip District will improve market access for horticultural farmers and support the anticipated Ginger Processing Plant.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Chhimtuipui River Bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road, which will ensure all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time by two hours, supporting cross-border trade under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework.

Moreover, the foundation stone for the Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall will be laid to promote sports development, featuring modern sports facilities, including a multi-purpose indoor arena aimed at nurturing Mizoram's youth for national and international competitions.

In an effort to bolster the region's energy infrastructure, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for a 30 TMTPA LPG Bottling Plant in Mualkhang, Aizawl, aimed at ensuring a consistent and dependable supply of LPG to Mizoram and surrounding states, facilitating easier access to clean cooking fuel.

This LPG Bottling Plant is expected to also create local job opportunities.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate a Residential School in Kawrthah under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme, which will feature modern classrooms, hostels, and sports facilities including an artificial football turf.

This initiative is projected to benefit over 10,000 children and youth, laying the groundwork for long-term social and educational development.

Expanding his vision for quality education, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Eklavya Model Residential School at Tlangnuam, which aims to enhance enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and provide comprehensive education opportunities for tribal youth.