Photo Courtesy: NFR
Maligaon, February 13 (MExN): Railway services in Mizoram achieved a new milestone with the arrival of the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train at Sairang Railway Station for the first time on February 12 under the “North East Discovery” circuit.
According to the official NFR update, the premium tourist train carried 81 tourists from different parts of India as well as from countries including the United States and Nepal, highlighting Mizoram’s growing visibility on the national and international tourism map.
The development follows the inauguration of the 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang Railway Line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, 2025, which has been described as a watershed moment for tourism in the state. Improved rail accessibility over the past six months has led to a steady rise in tourist inflow, contributing to employment generation in hospitality and allied sectors, promoting eco-tourism and cultural tourism, and positioning Mizoram as an emerging destination in the Northeast.
Since the commencement of train services on the Bairabi–Sairang route in September 2025, public response has been strong. The Sairang-Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express has recorded occupancy exceeding 147 per cent and 154 per cent in both directions. The Sairang-Guwahati Express and Sairang-Kolkata Express have also registered occupancy levels of over 100 per cent, reflecting robust demand and public acceptance of railway services from Sairang.
On February 9, 2026, a new train service connecting Sairang and Silchar was flagged off by the Railway Minister, further enhancing regional mobility and linking Mizoram with the Barak Valley in Assam, an important educational, medical and commercial hub.
Freight operations on the Bairabi–Sairang section have also gained momentum since commissioning. The first freight rake comprising 21 cement wagons was moved to Sairang soon after inauguration, marking the start of regular freight services. Since then, a diversified freight basket including cement, sand, stone chips, essential commodities and automobiles has been handled.
Notably, the first inward automobile rake carrying 119 passenger vehicles was received at Sairang, demonstrating the line’s capacity to handle high-value bulk consignments.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has also initiated measures to strengthen parcel logistics, including introduction of refrigerated parcel van services for transportation of horticultural and perishable produce. The initiative is aimed at expanding market access for local farmers and traders while reducing logistics constraints.
