Aizawl: The Mizoram government is working to simplify the issuance of Inner Line Permits (ILP) for passengers entering the state by train, following the launch of railway connectivity last month, an official said on Tuesday.
Home Minister K. Sapdanga, who visited the Sairang railway station near Aizawl, reviewed the process of ILP verification and issuance for incoming passengers.
The minister held discussions with railway, police, and administrative officials to identify ways to make the system more efficient and traveller-friendly.
The ILP, a mandatory entry document for Indian citizens visiting Mizoram, is currently available through an online portal introduced in 2019.
Sapdanga said efforts are underway to enhance the online system and to make offline application forms accessible to non-tribal travellers arriving by train.
The updated ILP guidelines are nearing completion, he added.
During his visit, the home minister recommended setting up separate exit gates at the station—one for passengers requiring ILP and another for residents of the state or those exempted from the requirement.
He also stressed the importance of upgrading the Sairang railway station to handle the increasing passenger load, which currently averages around 250 to 300 people per train.
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Officials informed Sapdanga that projects are already underway to enhance the station’s infrastructure, including the development of a rail terminal expected to be completed within two years.
Plans for establishing a tourist facilitation centre at the station were also discussed to assist travellers and promote tourism in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang railway line on September 13, marking Mizoram’s entry into India’s railway map.
Sapdanga was accompanied during the inspection by Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, DGP Sharad Agarwal, and other senior officials.
