During a meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma that he would inaugurate the new Bairabi–Sairang railway line and Sairang railway station in Aizawl district “at the earliest convenience”. The confirmation marks a key milestone in completing a 26-year-old vision to link Mizoram’s capital with the Indian Railways network.

First conceptualised in September 1999, the Bairabi–Sairang line has overcome immense geographic and climatic challenges—including heavy rainfall, landslides, and poor visibility. The 51.38-km broad gauge line was commissioned in June 2025 by the Commissioner of Railway Safety and now awaits formal inauguration.

According to officials, a Preliminary Engineering cum-Traffic Survey (PET) was conducted by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in March 2006. Based on this, RITES was commissioned in 2008 for a pre-construction survey and geo-technical study, submitting its final report in August 2011. Recognising the project’s strategic importance in connecting Mizoram to the rest of India, it was declared a “National Project” in 2008–09. The foundation stone was laid by PM Modi on 29 November 2014.

Construction began in earnest in 2015–16 after land acquisition was completed. Chief Engineer Vinod Kumar highlighted the technical difficulties involved, such as navigating hilly terrain, deep gorges, and the requirement for tall viaducts and tunnels. Disruptions along the Guwahati–Silchar highway also complicated logistics and material transport.

The final rail alignment includes 48 tunnels stretching over 12.85 km, 55 major and 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and nine road underbridges. One of the bridges, numbered 196, reaches 104 metres in height—42 metres taller than the Qutub Minar.

During the meeting, CM Lalduhoma also raised several other development concerns. He discussed the Thenzawl Peace City Project, sought national highway status for the Aizawl–Thenzawl road, and reviewed progress on the Handholding Policy. He further highlighted the Rs 92.65 billion Gas Pipeline Project by Indradhanush Gas Grid (IGGL), stressing the need to extend piped gas supply to Aizawl households to reduce dependence on LPG cylinders.

Prime Minister Modi assured full support and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Mamit District to take proactive steps to facilitate timely implementation of the pipeline.