Aizawl: A trial train engine successfully arrived at Sairang, the western outskirts of Mizoram’s capital Aizawl city, on Wednesday (April 30) for the first time as the Northeast Frontier Railway (NRF) is expected to complete the 51.38km Bairabi-Sairang broad-gauge railway project by July.
Another trial engine was expected on Thursday as part of the ongoing trial operations.
The NRF officials said the project was 95% complete, with Rs 7,714 crore expended out of the total estimated cost of Rs 8,215 crore.
The railway line is expected to become fully operational by July.
The pending final inspections by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Ministry of Civil Aviation, are scheduled for May or June.
In August 2024, the CRS approved train operations on the Bairabi-Hortoki section following successful inspections and speed trials, permitting operations at speeds up to 100km per hour. This marked a major milestone in the project’s phased rollout.
The near-completion of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line marks a historic moment for Mizoram as it connects the state more closely with the national railway network.
The Bairabi-Sairang line is a key infrastructure initiative under the Centre’s Act East Policy to enhance connectivity and economic integration in the northeast region.
The line features four stations: Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang-Sihhmui, and includes 32 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 89 minor bridges.
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The Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge line is expected to improve transportation in Mizoram by reducing travel time and logistics costs while improving tourism activities.
It also aligns with India’s strategic goals under the Act East Policy, which seeks to strengthen trade and connectivity with Southeast Asia.
