CONTEXT

• Mizoram’s capital Aizawl connected to the Indian Railways network for the first time.
• Achieved through the Bairabi–Sairang 51.38-km line; final stretch Hortoki–Sairang (33.86 km) cleared by Railway Safety Commissioner in June 2025.
• Inauguration expected soon; project marks a big leap in regional infrastructure development.

CONCEPT

• Part of Indian Railways’ mission to connect all North-East state capitals by rail.
• Bairabi–Sairang line:
  • 48 tunnels (12,853 m total), 55 major & 87 minor bridges.
  • Bridge No. 196 stands 104 m tall — 42 m taller than Qutub Minar.
  • Includes 5 road overbridges & 6 underbridges.
  • Divided into four sections: Bairabi–Hortoki, Hortoki–Kawnpui, Kawnpui–Mualkhang, Mualkhang–Sairang.
• Sairang lies 20 km from Aizawl; Bairabi was Mizoram’s only previous railhead.
• With this, Mizoram becomes the 4th NE state capital with rail connectivity (after Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh).

CURRENT

• North-East rail projects as of April 2024:
  • 18 projects (13 new lines, 5 doubling) spanning 1,368 km.
  • ₹40,549 crore spent, 313 km commissioned.
  • Meghalaya remains unconnected due to local resistance.
• Key projects in progress:
  • Dimapur–Kohima (82.5 km) – 65% done; TDC: Dec 2029
  • Murkongselek–Pasighat (26.15 km) – 41% done; TDC: Feb 2026
  • Sivok–Rangpo (45 km, Sikkim) – 73% done; TDC: Dec 2027
  • Jiribam–Imphal (111 km, Manipur) – 91% done; Cost: ₹14,323 crore
• Amrit Bharat Scheme & launch of Vande Bharat/Amrit Bharat trains to boost regional rail quality.