Aizawl: In a landmark development for Mizoram’s infrastructure and connectivity, the construction of the railway track between Sairang and Bairabi has been officially completed, culminating in a successful inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on June 10. This development marks the final phase of the ambitious 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang New Line Railway Project, effectively bringing the state capital, Aizawl, onto India’s national railway network for the first time in history.
The final 33.864 km stretch between Hortoki and Sairang underwent a rigorous inspection from June 6 to 10 by Sumeet Singhal, CRS of the Northeast Frontier Circle. On June 10, a high-speed trial run was conducted using a WDP-4 diesel locomotive, which achieved speeds of up to 110 kmph to assess the operational readiness and safety of the newly constructed broad gauge line. The speed trial commenced at 9 AM and was successfully completed without any incident, clearing the path for the official commissioning of the track.
Following the inspection and speed trial, CRS authorized the opening of the BG line for public use—both passenger and freight—at a maximum permissible speed of 90 kmph. This authorization represents the culmination of years of dedicated work by the Northeast Frontier Railway and a major achievement in overcoming the region’s challenging hilly terrain.
The Hortoki–Sairang section alone features 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges, showcasing the engineering feats required to traverse the rugged topography. In total, the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang project comprises 48 tunnels spanning 12,853 meters, 55 major and 87 minor bridges, as well as 5 Road Over Bridges and 6 Road Under Bridges. Among its structural highlights is bridge no. 196, which towers at a height of 104 meters—42 meters taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar.
Divided into four main sections—Bairabi–Hortoki, Hortoki–Kawnpui, Kawnpui–Mualkhang, and Mualkhang–Sairang—the new railway line is hailed as an engineering marvel by Indian Railways. The earlier-commissioned Bairabi–Hortoki section laid the groundwork for this final leg, which now completes the connection to Sairang and, by extension, to Aizawl.
This long-awaited development is expected to significantly boost the socio-economic growth of Mizoram, streamline passenger and freight movement, and fulfill a decades-old aspiration of the local population to see trains reach their capital. It also underlines Indian Railways’ continued commitment to expanding infrastructure in remote and strategically vital regions.
With this successful commissioning, Mizoram is now fully integrated into India’s railway grid—a historic leap forward for connectivity, commerce, and development in the Northeast.
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