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A long-held aspiration for Mizoram is about to materialize. The Bairabi-Sairang railway line is set to be inaugurated this week, marking a significant infrastructure milestone for the state. This project promises to reduce travel time between Aizawl and Silchar to just three hours, a substantial improvement compared to the current road journey of seven hours. The train service is designed to operate at speeds of up to 100 kmph.
The 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 8,000 crore, is a testament to engineering prowess. The route traverses challenging terrain, incorporating 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. The total length of the tunnels is 12,853 meters. Notably, bridge number 196 stands out, reaching a height of 104 meters, surpassing the Qutub Minar by 42 meters.
In addition, the project includes 5 road over bridges and 6 road under bridges. The railway line is segmented into four sections: Bairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualakhang, and Mualakhang–Sairang. This initiative will establish the first direct rail link to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. This will significantly facilitate the movement of both people and goods, fostering social and economic progress and answering the long-standing needs of the populace.
Operational approval for the final section, Hortoki to Sairang, was granted earlier this year by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The CRS inspected the route using a motor trolley and on foot, followed by a speed trial with a diesel engine-driven inspection train. The final 29.5 km stretch, characterized by hilly terrain, encompasses 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges. With the CRS inspection completed in June 2025, the entire 51.38 km railway line is ready, paving the way for a new era in Mizoram’s transportation infrastructure.
