The age-old dream of connecting Aizawl by rail is now about to come true. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate a major infrastructure project of Mizoram – the Bairabi-Sairang railway line – this week. This will be an important and historic moment for the state.
With the launch of this new rail service, the journey between Aizawl and Silchar will now be completed in just three hours, while it takes about seven hours by road. Trains on this route will be able to run at a speed of 100 kmph.
The 51.38 km long Bairabi-Sairang railway line, built at a cost of about Rs 8,000 crore, is a remarkable engineering feat. The line passes through the difficult hilly areas of Mizoram and includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. The total length of the tunnels is 12,853 meters. The highlight of the project is bridge number 196, which is 104 metres high, 42 metres higher than the Qutub Minar.
In addition, the project also has 5 road over bridges and 6 road under bridges. The railway line is divided into four sections: Bairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualakhang, and Mualakhang–Sairang.
First direct rail link to the capital
The project will connect Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to the rail network directly for the first time. This will greatly improve the movement of passengers and goods and will also give a boost to the social and economic development of the state. It will also fulfill a long-standing demand of the people of Mizoram.
Earlier this year, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) gave operational approval to the last section of the project, Hortoki to Sairang. The section was inspected by motor trolley and on foot, followed by a speed trial by a diesel engine-driven inspection special train.
This 29.5 km long final section passes through the hilly area, which includes 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges. The CRS inspection was completed on 6 and 10 June 2025. With this, the entire 51.38 km railway line is now ready, which will bring a new era in the transport system of Mizoram.
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