New Delhi, Sep 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram on Saturday, a development deemed “historic for the Northeast” by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. This project, spanning 51.38 kilometers, marks a significant milestone as Aizawl is now officially part of India’s railway network, over 172 years after railways were introduced in the country.
During his visit, the Prime Minister also launched three new trains: the weekly Sairang–Anand Vihar (Delhi) Rajdhani Express, the tri-weekly Kolkata–Sairang–Kolkata Express, and the daily Guwahati–Sairang–Guwahati Express. Rijiju applauded this advancement by sharing a 1990 video of former Railways Minister George Fernandes discussing plans to extend railway connectivity to Manipur, emphasizing how past promises had remained unfulfilled.
In a post on X, Rijiju noted, “Today is a historic day for NorthEast. In 1990, Minister of Railways George Fernandes spoke about Railways for Manipur. The subsequent Congress regime did nothing. Now, Narendra Modi ji has transformed the railway landscape in the Northeast.”
The Bairabi–Sairang broad gauge project received clearance in 2008-2009 and was completed at a cost of ₹8,213.72 crore under the Northeast Frontier Railway. It plays a critical role in the Centre’s Act East Policy, aiming to connect Aizawl with Silchar in Assam and, subsequently, with the rest of India.
Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the project in 2014, with construction commencing in 2015. After nearly a decade of work, the railway line was finally inaugurated this weekend. Speaking at the virtual event, Modi praised Mizoram’s contributions to India’s history, stating, “Whether it is the freedom movement or nation building, the people of Mizoram have always come forward to contribute… Sacrifice and service, courage and compassion — these values are at the center of Mizo society.”
Modi emphasized Mizoram’s growing importance in India’s development trajectory, calling the day historic for both the state and the nation. “From today, Aizawl will feature on India’s railway map. A few years ago, I had the honor of laying the foundation stone for the Aizawl railway line, and today, we proudly dedicate it to the people of the nation,” he concluded.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/09/13/george-fernandes-promised-cong-didnt-do-anything-rijiju-calls-bairabi-sairang-railway-line-historic/
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Publish Date: 2025-09-13 12:20:00
