Murugan in Kolasib: Modi government places Northeast at heart of Viksit Bharat push
Synopsis
Union Minister L. Murugan used his Kolasib visit to tie Mizoram's gains — a working Bairabi-Sairang rail line, a Delhi-Sairang Rajdhani, and rising tourist inflows — to the Centre's larger Viksit Bharat 2047 framing. The pitch: Northeast development is no longer peripheral, but a stated pillar of Modi's third-term agenda, with cinema and rooftop solar layered in as new levers.
Key Takeaways
Murugan , MoS Information & Broadcasting, addressed an interactive session in Kolasib district , Mizoram on 2 June .
He said PM Narendra Modi and the Centre accord high priority to the entire Northeast region.
The Bairabi-Sairang railway line is operational and the Rajdhani Express now runs between Delhi and Sairang , boosting tourism.
Murugan urged full rollout of the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme and flagged concern over student dropouts.
On Wednesday, he will visit a PM SHRI School , Anganwadi Centre, Diakkawn High School, Regional Sports Training Centre Saidan and the ICAR campus.
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting L. Murugan on Tuesday, 2 June said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre accord top priority to the development of the entire Northeast, citing fresh rail connectivity, tourism momentum and rooftop solar push during an interactive session in Kolasib district of Mizoram. The Minister framed the region's progress as integral to the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Key Developments in Kolasib
Addressing officials and civil society members, Murugan said the Prime Minister has 'often emphasised that the development of the Northeast is integral to India's development'. He noted that significant work is underway on road connectivity and infrastructure to improve quality of life across the region.
The Minister appreciated Heads of Offices and NGO representatives for their work, flagging visible gains in sports and women's empowerment in the district.
Rail Connectivity and Tourism Boost
Murugan highlighted that the Bairabi-Sairang railway line is now operational and the Rajdhani Express has already started running between Delhi and Sairang, near Aizawl. The Minister said this has 'greatly attracted tourists to Mizoram', resulting in a significant rise in visitors from outside the state.
He added that the state government and the Ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) are working in tandem on district-level and state-level priorities, with the Centre 'highly supportive' of the region's push.
Cinema, Solar and Schemes
On his own portfolio, Murugan said he was pleased that Mizo filmmakers have participated in the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa and other platforms. He said he would encourage major filmmakers to shoot in Mizoram's locations, calling tourism and cinema twin engines for the state.
The Minister urged attendees to fully implement the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme, and stressed that primary education forms the foundation for any long-term development push.
Education and Dropout Concerns
Expressing concern over the high dropout rate among students, Murugan said 'maximum effort' was needed to motivate both children and parents. He urged the gathering to align their work with the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal of a fully developed India by mid-century.
Representatives from the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) and the Mizoram Journalists' Association (MJA), Kolasib, took part in the session.
What's Next
Later in the day, Murugan met Kolasib Deputy Commissioner H. Dolianbuaia and Heads of Offices from various departments, following a PowerPoint presentation on the district profile and scheme progress. He also visited the Kolasib District Hospital for a review of healthcare delivery and infrastructure.
On Wednesday, the Union Minister is scheduled to visit a PM SHRI School, an Anganwadi Centre, Diakkawn High School, the Regional Sports Training Centre Saidan, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research campus — a packed itinerary aimed at signalling sustained central attention on Mizoram's grassroots delivery.
Point of View
A Rajdhani at Sairang, IFFI slots for Mizo filmmakers. That is a real change from the symbolism-heavy outreach of earlier years. But the dropout flag he raised is the uncomfortable subtext: connectivity and cinema headlines do not yet translate into human-capital outcomes, and Mizoram's school retention remains the harder, quieter test of any Viksit Bharat 2047 claim.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Union Minister L. Murugan say during his Kolasib visit?
Murugan said on 2 June that PM Narendra Modi and the Centre accord high priority to the development of the entire Northeast region. He cited road connectivity, the operational Bairabi-Sairang railway line, and tourism growth as evidence of progress in Mizoram.
Is the Bairabi-Sairang railway line and Delhi-Sairang Rajdhani operational?
Yes. Murugan confirmed that the Bairabi-Sairang railway line is operational and that the Rajdhani Express has already started running between Delhi and Sairang, near Aizawl. He said the new connectivity has significantly increased tourist inflows into Mizoram.
What is the PM Surya Ghar scheme mentioned by the Minister?
PM Surya Ghar is the Centre's rooftop solar scheme aimed at expanding household-level solar power adoption. Murugan urged attendees in Kolasib to put their best efforts into implementing the scheme on the ground.
What is the Minister's schedule on Wednesday?
Murugan is scheduled to conduct site visits to a PM SHRI School, an Anganwadi Centre, Diakkawn High School, the Regional Sports Training Centre Saidan, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research campus. The visits are aimed at reviewing on-ground delivery of central schemes.
Why does this visit matter for Mizoram?
The visit signals continued central focus on Mizoram amid the Viksit Bharat 2047 push, linking rail connectivity, tourism, cinema and rooftop solar into a single development narrative. It also surfaced concerns over student dropout rates, which the Minister flagged as a priority area.
