Mizoram is set to make history next week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the long-awaited Bairabi–Sairang railway line, a 51.38-kilometre stretch that will, for the first time, connect the state capital Aizawl to India’s national railway network.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Mizoram on September 13 for the inauguration before heading to Manipur, in what will be his first visit to the neighbouring state since ethnic violence broke out there in May 2023. Officials in Aizawl, however, have said the final itinerary of the Prime Minister’s tour is yet to be confirmed.
For decades, Mizoram depended solely on road and air links to the rest of the country—modes of travel that were either time-consuming or too expensive for many. The new broad-gauge line, constructed at a cost of INR 5,021 crore, is now poised to change that, promising cheaper travel, easier freight movement, and an overall boost to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
“This project fulfils the cherished dream of Mizoram residents for railway connectivity to the State capital,” a senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official told journalists during a site visit on August 31, 2025. “It will provide an affordable option to all categories of people, besides boosting economic activities in the region with a special focus on tourism.”
The line, which winds up at Sairang, about 20 km from Aizawl, integrates Mizoram with Silchar in Assam through the Bhodahpur Junction, thereby linking it to the broader network serving Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Railways also plans to extend similar connectivity to Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Sikkim by 2030.
The Bairabi–Sairang railway line is dotted with remarkable engineering feats. It includes 48 tunnels spanning a total of 12.85 km, the longest of which stretches 1.37 km. The line also features 55 major bridges—the longest measuring about 1.3 km and the tallest, the Krung Bridge at Sairang, rising an imposing 114 metres above the ground, taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar.
In addition, there are 87 minor bridges, along with five road overbridges and six road underbridges. The tallest pier of the line, P-4 of bridge number 196, stands at 104 metres.
The project was executed in four segments simultaneously—Bairabi–Hortoki (16.72 km), Hortoki–Kawnpui (9.71 km), Kawnpui–Mualkhang (12.11 km), and Mualkhang–Sairang (12.84 km). Four stations—Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang-Sihhmui—dot the route.
The journey of this ambitious project began almost a decade ago. Prime Minister Modi had virtually laid its foundation stone on November 29, 2014, and later flagged off the first passenger train between Bairabi and Silchar on May 27, 2016. Freight services to Bairabi had begun earlier that year, on March 21, 2016.
By August 2024, the Commissioner of Railway Safety had cleared operations on the Bairabi–Hortoki section, and by June 2025, the clearance extended to the Hortoki–Sairang stretch.
Currently, most essential goods in Mizoram are transported by road from Silchar, a journey of about 10 hours. With the new rail line in place, that travel time will shrink to just three hours, offering immense relief to the state’s residents and businesses.
Officials believe the railway will not only ease everyday travel but also boost trade, tourism, and socio-economic development in the state. With this project, one of India’s smallest states finally finds itself on the country’s railway map in a way that connects its capital directly to the rest of the nation.
When will Prime Minister Modi inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway line on September 13, 2025.
What is the total length of the Bairabi–Sairang railway project?
The Bairabi–Sairang railway line spans 51.38 km, featuring 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges.
How much did the Bairabi–Sairang railway project cost?
The project was built at an estimated cost of ₹5,021 crore under the Northeast Frontier Railway zone.
Which stations are part of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line?
The railway line includes four stations—Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang-Sihhmui.
How will the new railway line benefit Mizoram?
The rail link will connect Aizawl to the national network, reduce travel time from Silchar to three hours, lower transport costs, and boost trade, tourism, and socio-economic growth.
