Mizoram is rapidly emerging as one of the Northeast’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, driven by new rail connectivity and major infrastructure investments, Governor Vijay Kumar Singh said on February 17 while addressing the state Assembly at the opening of the Budget session. He credited the recently completed Bairabi–Sairang railway line with significantly improving access to the state capital and opening fresh opportunities for trade, tourism and employment.
Describing the rail link as a “historic milestone,” Singh said the connection has integrated Aizawl into the national railway network and spurred a sharp rise in visitor numbers. According to the governor, more than 6.79 lakh tourists (including 9,606 foreign visitors) arrived in Mizoram in the nine months ending December 2025, a 29.50 percent increase over the previous year.
“The momentum reached a peak in December, which saw over 1.33 lakh visitors — a 122.11 per cent spike compared to the same month last year,” he said, underlining a strong year-end surge that state officials say reflects improving accessibility and growing interest in the state’s natural and cultural attractions.
To bolster eco-tourism and visitor infrastructure, the state has secured Rs 34.5 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for a ropeway at Vantawng Falls near Thenzawl in Mamit district. The Union Tourism Ministry has also sanctioned Rs 5.47 crore under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) for basic amenities at Vangchhia in Champhai district, home to a cluster of roughly 170 menhirs. In addition, Rs 9.97 crore has been approved for a convention centre at Thingsulthliah in Saitual district.
Singh noted that the Tourism Department signed a memorandum of understanding with the Environment, Forests & Climate Change Department during the first Mizoram Travel Fest in October 2025 to strengthen cooperation on eco-tourism promotion. State officials say the combined push — improved connectivity, targeted funding and interdepartmental collaboration — aims to sustain visitor growth while protecting Mizoram’s environmental and cultural heritage.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/rail-link-powering-mizorams-tourism-surge-says-governor-1347640-2026-02-17?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-17 17:52:00
