GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced that the Bhairabi-Sairang new railway line, connecting Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to the national railway network, is at an advanced stage of completion.
NFR chief public relations officer Sabyasachi De said 93 percent of physical progress has been made on the 51.38-km new railway line.
He also highlighted the challenges in the execution of the project. “ The NFR is facing several challenges such as a limited working season due to extended monsoons, difficult hilly terrain, poor accessibility, and shortages of construction materials and skilled labour in Mizoram. However, we are making all efforts to fulfill its commitment to the earliest commissioning of the project,” he said.
The project is divided into four sections: Bhairabi–Hortoki, Hortoki–Kawnpui, Kawnpui–Mualkhang, and Mualkhang–Sairang, involving multiple tunnels and bridges in challenging terrains.
The Bhairabi-Sairang new railway line project includes a total of 12,853 metres of tunnels, with 12,807 metres already completed.
It also features 55 major and 89 minor bridges of which 47 major bridges and 87 minor bridges have already been completed.
Construction of the tallest pier near Sairang station, standing at 104 metres tall (42 metres taller than Qutub Minar), has been completed, he added.
“The project also includes five road over-bridges and six road under-bridges. There will be four stations in this project – Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang,” he added.
De said once completed, the project will revolutionize transportation and trade for the people of Mizoram.
“The economical and environment-friendly railway services will have a positive impact on almost all development works in the state,” he said.
The NFR spokesperson said the project will drastically reduce transportation costs for passengers, goods, and commodities, while also significantly cutting travel time and boosting tourism in the region.
Indian Railways is significantly contributing to the transformation of the northeastern states by executing several new railway line projects.
