All aboard Aizawl! Mizoram’s capital joins India’s rail map after historic green signal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 10, 2025

In a historic breakthrough for connectivity in the Northeast, Aizawl—the capital of Mizoram—has finally been plugged into India’s railway grid. After decades of isolation from the national rail network, the newly laid broad gauge (BG) line from Hortoki to Sairang has been greenlit for operation following authorization from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Shri Sumeet Singhal.

This marks the official completion of the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang New Line Railway Project, a feat hailed as both an engineering marvel and a socio-economic game-changer. The final 33.864 km stretch, winding through dense hills, deep gorges, and rugged terrain, was rigorously inspected over four days via motor trolleys, foot patrols, and speed trials—culminating in its approval for public use.

“This is not just a railway line—it’s a lifeline,” said an official from the Northeast Frontier Railway. With this line open, Mizoram’s capital no longer sits at the end of the road. It now has a direct rail artery linking it to the rest of India, unlocking long-awaited potential for trade, tourism, and development.

The scale of the project is staggering: 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges cut through the region’s treacherous geography. One of the bridges—Bridge No. 196—soars 104 meters high, making it taller than the Qutub Minar by a jaw-dropping 42 meters. The tunnel network alone spans over 12.8 kilometres.

Split into four construction phases—Bairabi to Hortoki, Hortoki to Kawnpui, Kawnpui to Mualkhang, and Mualkhang to Sairang—the project tested the limits of railway engineering. Yet despite nature’s challenges, the Northeast Frontier Railway delivered, bringing 90 kmph-capable BG tracks right to Aizawl’s doorstep.

For Mizoram, which has long grappled with connectivity bottlenecks, this development promises a tectonic shift. Faster freight routes mean cheaper goods. Passenger trains mean greater mobility. And for a landlocked state known for its beauty but limited access, this rail link could be the launchpad for a new era of integration and opportunity.

As the first passenger trains prepare to roll into Sairang, the state isn’t just celebrating a railway—it’s celebrating arrival.