Will PM Modi Inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Project?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Direct rail connectivity established to Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl.
- Significant engineering achievement with 48 tunnels and multiple bridges.
- Enhancement of passenger and freight movement.
- Potential for socio-economic growth in the region.
- Inauguration involves national leadership.
New Delhi/Aizawl, July 14 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, had a significant meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Monday, during which he extended an invitation for the formal inauguration of the newly finished Bairabi–Sairang railway line and the new Sairang Railway Station.
An official from the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) reported that the Prime Minister showed interest in attending, depending on his schedule availability.
During their discussion, various crucial topics regarding the development of Mizoram were brought to the table. The Chief Minister emphasized key issues, such as the Thenzawl Peace City Project, a plea to classify the Aizawl-Thenzawl road as a National Highway, and updates on the Handholding Policy implementation.
The two leaders also talked about the conditions in the Chin Hills of Myanmar and their effects on Mizoram, as noted by the CMO official.
Lalduhoma stressed the importance of increasing piped gas connectivity for households in Aizawl, referencing the ongoing Rs 9,265 crore Gas Pipeline Project managed by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). He urged the Prime Minister to ensure timely execution to lessen reliance on gas cylinders. In response, the Prime Minister pledged his complete support and indicated that the Deputy Commissioner of Mamit District should take proactive measures to advance the pipeline project, according to the CMO official.
Upon the inauguration of the 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway project, Aizawl will become the fourth capital city in Northeast India to gain access to a railway network.
An official from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) stated that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Sumeet Singhal, authorized the operation of both goods and passenger trains on the newly laid tracks after visiting them from June 6 to June 10.
The Bairabi-Sairang railway project is segmented into four sections: Bairabi-Hortoki (16.72 km, commissioned in July 2024), Hortoki-Kawnpui (9.71 km), Kawnpui-Mualkhang (12.11 km), and Mualkhang-Sairang (12.84 km).
This achievement marks the completion of the entire 51.38 km railway line project from Bairabi, adjacent to Assam’s Hailakandi district, to Sairang, near Aizawl, establishing direct rail connectivity to the state capital for the very first time.
This groundbreaking development is anticipated to enhance both passenger and freight movement significantly, drive socio-economic progress, and fulfill a longstanding dream of Mizoram's residents to welcome trains in their capital, as stated by the official.
Given the challenging terrain, the work conducted by the NFR has been remarkable.
The project is recognized as an engineering feat of the Indian Railways. The railway line, situated in mountainous regions, comprises 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges.
The total tunnel length for this project is 12,853 meters, with bridge number 196 reaching a height of 104 meters, making it 42 meters taller than the Qutub Minar.
Additionally, the project features five Road Over Bridges and six Road Under Bridges. Following the inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line, Aizawl will soon become the fourth capital in the Northeast to connect to the national railway network after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.