Will PM Modi Unveil New Train Services Connecting Aizawl with Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati?

Guwahati/Aizawl, Sep 11 (NationPress) Following the anticipated inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway project on September 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch three pairs of new train services that will link Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, with the national capital, Guwahati, and Kolkata, according to officials on Thursday.

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, expressed the organization's enthusiasm in introducing these new train services starting from the newly constructed Sairang station in Aizawl.

A senior official from the Mizoram government mentioned that the Prime Minister, alongside state Chief Minister Lalduhoma and several Central Ministers, will flag off the new trains immediately following the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway project on Saturday.

The NFR CPRO noted that these services will significantly improve rail connectivity between Mizoram's capital and key destinations nationwide.

The inaugural journeys of all three train pairs are scheduled for September 13 (Saturday), with regular services commencing on specified dates thereafter.

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

The Sairang-Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express will operate via Badarpur junction, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, and Bhagalpur during its routes. Meanwhile, the Sairang-Kolkata Express (tri-weekly) will travel through Badarpur junction, Guwahati, Goalpara Town, Golakganj, New Jalpaiguri, and Malda Town to reach its destination in Kolkata.

Details regarding stoppages and timings for these trains can be found on the IRCTC website and will also be shared on the social media platforms of the Northeast Frontier Railway. Sharma urged passengers to confirm these details before embarking on their journeys.

The Bairabi (near Assam’s Hailakandi district)-Sairang (near Aizawl city) railway project, measuring 51.38 km, will make Aizawl the fourth capital in the Northeast region with rail connectivity, following Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials, led by General Manager (Construction) Arun Kumar Chaudhary, are actively finalizing preparations for the railway project’s inauguration.

Union Ministers and senior officials from various ministries, including the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Tribal Affairs, and Road Transport and Highways, will attend the ceremony.

The NFR CPRO previously stated that the 51.38-km-long Bairabi-Sairang new line is regarded as an engineering marvel of Indian Railways, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,071 crore.

The project encompasses 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges, including tunnels with a total length of 12,853 metres. The longest tunnel (Tunnel No. 3) extends approximately two km.

Bridge number 196 stands at a height of 114 metres, surpassing the Qutub Minar by 42 metres, added the CPRO.

The project also features five Road Over Bridges and six Road Under Bridges, alongside the construction of four new stations—Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang.

Despite the challenging terrain, the NFR has made significant strides in extending rail connectivity to Aizawl, overcoming substantial geographical and engineering obstacles to realize this long-anticipated project, CPRO Sharma remarked.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma held a meeting on September 9 with senior officials to assess preparations for Prime Minister Modi’s visit to inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway project on September 13.

According to an official from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister is also expected to address a public gathering at the Assam Rifles ground on September 13, coinciding with the inauguration event.

However, the Prime Minister's final schedule for the visit to Mizoram has not been officially confirmed by the PMO.

Following his time in Aizawl, the Prime Minister is likely to visit the capital of Manipur, Imphal, and the tribal region of Churachandpur to address gatherings in both locations.

Security and other necessary arrangements are currently being implemented in both Imphal and Churachandpur.