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Maligaon, June 8 (MExN): Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has commenced inspection of Hortoki–Sairang section of the Bairabi–Sairang New Line Railway Project.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, NFR in a press release stated that Sumeet Singhal, CRS of Northeast Frontier Circle, is conducting the inspection from June 6 to 10, starting from Sairang station. This 33.864 km section forms part of the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang New Line, being executed by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) as a strategic state capital connectivity project.
With the completion of this section, Mizoram will soon become the 4th NE state, after Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradeshwhose capital city will be linked to the national railway network. The project has been divided into four sections: Bairabi–Hortoki (16.72 km, commissioned in July 2024), Hortoki–Kawnpui (9.71 km), Kawnpui–Mualkhang (12.11 km) and Mualkhang–Sairang (12.84 km).
The engineering scale of the project is significant. It includes 48 tunnels with a total length of 12,853 metres, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, 5 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), and 6 Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Among the standout structures is Bridge No. 196, (a rail pier bridge), which stands at a height of 104 metres i.e. 42 metres taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar, showcasing the engineering excellence applied to conquer Mizoram’s challenging terrain. A successful trial run on this route was already conducted on 1stMay 2025, in the presence of the General Manager (Construction) of NFR, marking a historic moment for Aizawl’s rail connectivity journey. The project has achieved 94.52% physical progress as of June 2025, reflecting the steady advancement toward operational readiness.
Once operational, the Bairabi–Sairang railway line is expected to be a game-changer for Mizoram. The improved connectivity will enhance access to essential supplies, promote long-distance travel (both passenger & freight) and significantly reduce in transportation costs. The line is also projected to boost local tourism, stimulate small-scale industries and drive socio-economic development across the region. The formal inauguration of the new line is likely to take place after June 17, following the successful completion of the CRS inspection and requisite safety clearances.
