Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated Mizoram’s first railway line, the Bairabi–Sairang express, to the nation, calling it a “lifeline of transformation” that will link the state with the rest of India.
The 51-km line is expected to boost services, improve market access for local businesses and farmers, and open new avenues in tourism, transport and hospitality.
“This is not just a railway connection, but it is a lifeline of transportation. It will revolutionise the lives and livelihoods of people of Mizoram. Farmers and businesses of Mizoram can reach more markets across the nation,” PM Modi said.
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PM Modi addresses Mizoram from Lengpui Airport
Adverse weather prevented the prime minister from physically attending the inauguration ceremony in Aizawl; he addressed the gathering from Lengpui airport instead. “I bow to the Supreme God Pathian, who watches over this beautiful land of the Blue Mountains. I am here at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport, due to bad weather. I am sorry I cannot join you in Aizwal. But I can feel your love and affection from this medium,” he said.
Calling the event a “historic day,” PM Modi recalled laying the foundation stone for the project and praised the engineers and workers who braved the Himalayan terrain to construct tunnels and bridges. “Friends, our hearts have always been directly connected with each other, now for the first time, Sairang in Mizoram will be connected directly with Delhi by the Rajdhani express,” he added.
The Bairabi–Sairang rail line features 45 tunnels and 45 bridges, connecting Mizoram’s capital with Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati through three newly flagged-off trains: the Rajdhani Express to New Delhi, the Mizoram Express to Guwahati, and the Kolkata–Mizoram Express.
The prime minister underlined Mizoram’s role in the country’s ‘Act East’ policy, noting projects such as the Kaladan multimodal transit corridor and new rail links aimed at boosting trade with Southeast Asia. He highlighted how the Northeast has emerged as a hub for entrepreneurship, with more than 4,500 startups and 25 incubators.
Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw lauds strong leadership
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the completion of the line as a landmark achievement. “One bridge in Mizoram is taller than Qutab Minar in Delhi… All this was possible because of Prime Minister Modi’s strong leadership and firm commitment to Mizoram,” he said.
Vaishnaw also announced cargo services and refrigerated coaches to support trade in turmeric, ginger and local fruits. He noted that the rail budget for the Northeast has grown fivefold since 2014, with projects worth Rs 77,000 crore underway.
PM’s broader visit to Manipur, West Bengal, Assam and Bihar
Apart from inaugurating the railway line, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for road projects including the Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road and Khankawn–Rongura Road.
PM Modi will also visit Manipur, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar from September 13 to 15 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development works worth Rs 71,850 crore.
