Rail LineApproval Secured: Aizawl Poised to Become Fourth Northeast Capital Linked by Rail, Following Nod from Railway Safety Commissioner.
Let's chat about the upcoming railway connection in the Northeast:
The crowd cheers as Mizoram, a state nestled in the heart of northeast India, prepares to join the nation's rail network, making Aizawl the fourth capital city in the region to be linked by a railway line. This exciting news comes from officials who spoke up on Tuesday about the Commissioner of Railway Safety's (CRS) approval of the newly constructed Broad Gauge (BG) line from Hortoki to Sairang.
Such a major railway project linking a state capital is often a grand occasion, typically attended by the Prime Minister. Yet, with the CRS's nod, the formal inauguration of this new line is scheduled to happen any time after June 17.
Here's a quick rundown of the Bairabi-Sairang new railway project and its four sections: Bairabi-Hortoki (16.72 km, expected commissioning in July 2024), Hortoki-Kawnpui (9.71 km), Kawnpui-Mualkhang (12.11 km), and Mualkhang-Sairang (12.84 km).
A senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official shared that this milestone completes the entire 51.38 km new railway line project, connecting Bairabi, near Assam's Hailakandi district, to Sairang, near Aizawl city—a never-before-seen direct rail connectivity for Mizoram's capital.
After thorough inspections by the Northeast Frontier Circle CRS Sumeet Singhal between June 6 and June 10, the final 33.864 km stretch from Hortoki to Sairang has been given the green light. With the completion of the final leg, Mizoram is now fully part of the national railway network.
This transformative achievement will significantly boost passenger and freight movement, foster socio-economic growth, and fulfill a long-standing dream for the people of Mizoram to witness trains rolling into the very heart of their capital, as an official shared.
The formal inspection was conducted via motor trolley, on foot, and via a diesel locomotive-hauled inspection train. The CRS has authorized the BG line from Hortoki to Sairang for public carriage of goods and passengers at a maximum permissible speed of 90 kmph on the mainline.
The Bairabi-Sairang new line railway project showcases Indian Railways' engineering prowess—a project lying in mountainous terrain that includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges (!), 87 minor bridges, five Road Over Bridges, and 6 Road Under Bridges. Brace yourself—Bridge number 196 stands a staggering 104 meters tall, almost 42 meters taller than the Qutub Minar!
The successful completion of the CRS inspection marks a significant milestone towards integrating Mizoram's capital into the national railway grid and demonstrates Indian Railways' dedication to developing infrastructure in remote and strategically important regions.
In no time, the Mizoram capital Aizawl will join other NE state capitals like Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh on the country's railway map. Get ready to welcome Aizawl to the train family! 🚂🌟
The upcoming railway connection in the Northeast, once inaugurated, will not only boost passenger and freight movement in Mizoram but also foster economic growth, similar to how the rail connectivity in neighboring states has transformed their industries, including finance and transportation.
As the people of Mizoram welcome trains into their capital city, Aizawl, they may also look forward to the potential expansion of sports events and tourism, creating new opportunities for competition and leisure, much like how railway connections in other cities have facilitated sports events and increased tourist visits.
