Aizawl: Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR), Sumeet Singhal, has commenced inspection of Hortoki–Sairang section of the Bairabi–Sairang New Line Railway Project.
Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspection, which began on June 6 from Sairang station, will continue till June 10.
As per railway norms, the CRS operates independently under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, functioning without interference from the Ministry of Railways. This ensures impartiality and adherence to strict safety protocols during inspections.
“All station buildings along the new alignment – including the terminus at Sairang-Sihhmui, located near Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl – have been fully constructed and are now ready for operations. Subject to safety clearance by the CRS, the line could be officially opened for passenger and freight services later this month,” said Sharma.
This 33.864 km section forms part of the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang New Line, being executed by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) as a strategic state capital connectivity project.
With the completion of this section, Mizoram will soon become the 4th NE state, after Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh whose capital city will be linked to the national railway network.
The project has been divided into four sections: Bairabi–Hortoki (16.72 km, commissioned in July 2024), Hortoki–Kawnpui (9.71 km), Kawnpui–Mualkhang (12.11 km) and Mualkhang–Sairang (12.84 km).
The engineering scale of the project is significant. It includes 48 tunnels with a total length of 12,853 metres, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, 5 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and 6 Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Among the standout structures is Bridge No. 196, (a rail pier bridge), which stands at a height of 104 metres i.e. 42 metres taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar, showcasing the engineering excellence applied to conquer Mizoram’s challenging terrain.
A successful trial run on this route was already conducted on May 1, 2025, in the presence of the General Manager (Construction) of NFR, marking a historic moment for Aizawl’s rail connectivity journey.
The project has achieved 94.52% physical progress as of June 2025, reflecting the steady advancement toward operational readiness.
Once operational, the Bairabi–Sairang railway line is expected to be a game-changer for Mizoram. T
The improved connectivity will enhance access to essential supplies, promote long-distance travel (both passenger & freight) and significantly reduce transportation costs.
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The line is also projected to boost local tourism, stimulate small-scale industries and drive socio-economic development across the region.
The formal inauguration of the new line is likely to take place after June 17, following the successful completion of the CRS inspection and requisite safety clearances.
