For the first time, Mizoram’s capital Aizawl will get direct trains from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati from this week, with the inauguration of the 34-km Hortoki–Sairang rail line—a missing link in the 51-km
Bairabi–Sairang project.
Long delayed due to Mizoram’s rugged terrain and challenging hills, the project’s completion is being hailed as a milestone. The new rail line, about the same as Mumbai’s Bandra–Kalyan or Delhi–Palwal rail distance, will, for the first time, bring trains to Mizoram’s capital from major cities.
Aizawl will be the fourth north-eastern capital after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh to be linked to the national rail network.
Costing Rs 8,071 crore, the first trial run to Sairang was conducted in May while the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspection and authorisation was done in June.
The New Rail Line
A 17-km section of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line between Bairabi and Hortoki has been operational since July 2024. The remaining 34 km line will be inaugurated this week between Hortoki and Sairang.
The Hortoki–Sairang section falls in a hilly terrain and there are 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges on the route.
Falling under the Northeast Frontier Railway, the entire 51-km route covers 48 tunnels with a collective length of about 13 km, 55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges. The Broad Gauge route has the maximum permissible speed of 100 kmph.
Passing through the Lushai hills and cutting through dense bamboo forests, deep valleys, and steep mountains, the route features India’s second-highest pier bridge (bridge 196) — 114 metres tall, higher than the Qutub Minar.
The Impact
Bairabi is located near the Assam-Mizoram border and until last year, it was the last stop for rail travellers in Mizoram. Sairang is a small town situated nearly 20 km from Aizawl.
Until now, the journey between Bairabi and Sairang meant long, difficult road travel through mountainous terrain. The new rail line cuts travel time between Aizawl and Silchar to just three hours, compared to seven by road.
In July, News18 had reported that the ministry is planning to introduce Vande Bharat and Rajdhani services from Aizawl based on feasibility and demands. These trains will allow the people of Aizawl to easily reach the country’s major cities, and it will be convenient for them to come and go during festivals.
Speaking to News18, a ministry official confirmed that a Rajdhani for Delhi and two more direct trains for Kolkata and Guwahati will be inaugurated from the city along with the new rail line. The journey between Guwahati and Aizawl will also be significantly reduced by a couple of hours with this line.
So far, to reach Aizawl from Delhi, there were two options—a train to Silchar, Guwahati or other major cities, followed by road trips. Flight, clubbed with road travel was also an option. But with Rajdhani coming from next week, this hardship will end and commuters can directly reach Aizawl.
Not just locals and tourists, the new rail line will also boost domestic and international trade in the region.
In June, News18 had reported that the Railway Ministry has shifted the focus to the northeast after connecting Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and restoring rail services to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu this year.
https://www.news18.com/india/next-stop-aizawl-kohima-railways-shifts-focus-to-northeast-after-linking-srinagar-rameswaram-ws-kl-9381127.html
While initially, only three trains are planned, it is expected that more trains will be introduced till Aizawl from different parts of the country depending upon the need and demands.
With Aizawl now joining the national railway grid, Mizoram’s long isolation by rail comes to an end, opening up new opportunities for trade, travel and integration in the Northeast.
