TV
Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, has, for the first time since Independence, been connected to India’s broad-gauge railway network with the completion of the Bairabi–Sairang rail project. The new link, built at a cost of Rs 5,021.45 crore, now ties the hill state into the national rail grid, marking a new phase of connectivity and development.
According to reports, the completed 51.38 km broad-gauge line enables trains to run at up to 100 kmph, linking Sairang to Bairabi and touching the national corridor that stretches from Tripura, through Guwahati, to Arunachal Pradesh. By connecting to Bairabi, Aizawl is now joined to the mainland rail network.
Route, Stations, And Alignment
The railway runs across Mizoram’s mountain ranges from Sairang to Bairabi, with three stations on the alignment, Hortoki, Kawnpui, and Mualkhang, providing new access points for local communities and freight movement.
Built through rugged terrain, the project features 48 tunnels extending to roughly 13 km, and a lattice of bridges including 87 minor and 55 major railway bridges. Road connectivity has been integrated via 5 over-bridges and 6 under-bridges along the route.
Signature Structure
The centrepiece of the structure is Bridge No. 196. At 114 metres high, it stands 42 metres taller than the Qutub Minar, and shines as an engineering marvel that overcame several challenges to push the line through steep hill sections.
"It is a surreal feeling as a train has entered Mizoram for the first time ever. This route is filled with natural beauty. Anyone passing through would be mesmerised by the view. This entire route is 51.38 km and has about 48 tunnels with several minor and major bridges," said the manager of the first train to ever pass into Mizoram.
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Timeline And Execution
Notably, the project traces its origins to November 29, 2014, when the foundation stone for the Bairabi–Sairang line was laid. Land acquisition concluded in 2015-16, and construction began simultaneously, culminating in the broad-gauge integration of Aizawl with the national network.
The link is positioned as a strategic lifeline for Mizoram, tying Aizawl to the mainland rail system, cutting travel times, improving logistics, and opening a new chapter for trade, services, and regional mobility across the Northeast’s hill terrain.
