By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Jul 13 (BVI): Braving tough challenges, Indian Railways has successfully established the much awaited rail link connecting the national Capital with Mizoram Capital in the Northeast.
With 48 tunnels and 55 major bridges including the one with 104 metre pier height which is taller than Qutub Minar, the 51.38 km long Sairang-Bairabi rail link project has come up in the hilly region at a total cost of Rs 8071 cr.
The Northeast project assumes strategic importance as it is bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.
One can enjoy the spectacular view of waterfalls and lush green valleys while travelling the hilly terrain in a Vistadom coach, specificall designed for tourists.
The regular train and freight services are likely to be operational in the section shortly as the route has got the safety clearances from the concerned authorities.
The all-weather rail link brings direct benefit to the people of Mizoram as it reduces the dependence on road transportation in the hilly terrain with the transportation of goods and passenger would become easier now, said a local shopkeeper.
Bairabi in Kolasib district, near the border with Assam, has so far been the only railhead in Mizoram. Sairang is a satellite town of Aizawl, around 20 km from the city.
The construction work was started in 2019 and the project was completed in four phases.
It was a challenging task as we have to overcome several logistical issues, said the Project Chief Engineer Vinod Kumar.
Talking about the tall bridge with 104 metre pier height, Kumar said special care was taken to allow unhindered waterflow in the below river. “We made multiple openings in the pier so that water flow is not obstructed”
A senior official of the Ministry of Railways said that the final 33.86 km stretch from Hortoki to Sairang was thoroughly inspected by Sumeet Singhal, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Northeast Frontier Circle, between June 6 to June 10. .
The 51.38-km Bairabi – Sairang New Line Railway Project also consists of 87 minor bridges and the total length of tunnels in this project is 12853 meters.
Depicting rich regional cultural motifs, the railway tunnels along Bairabi–Sairang Railway rail route have been adorned with striking murals that transform these functional structures into powerful visual narratives, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and identity of the Mizo people. These artistic embellishments turn the railway journey into a cultural experience, blending modern connectivity with timeless tradition.
The project also includes 5 Road over Bridges and 6 Road under Bridges. This new line project is divided into four sections, i.e. Bairabi – Hortoki, Hortoki – Kawnpui, Kawnpui – Mualkhang and Mualkhang – Sairang.
A Land of Natural Beauty and Cultural Heritage Mizoram, with Aizawl as its capital, is a scenic and culturally vibrant state located in North-eastern India. It shares its borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Indian states of Tripura, Assam and Manipur. Known as the “Land of the Hill People,” Mizoram is characterized by rolling hills, dense forests and remarkable biodiversity.
Mizoram is home to several ethnic groups making it a culturally diverse state.With its natural beauty, cultural richness and warm hospitality, Mizoram holds immense potential as a sustainable and serene tourist destination. With its breath-taking natural landscapes, vibrant culture and warm hospitality, Mizoram offers great potential as a sustainable and peaceful tourist destination.
The formal inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang line is likely to take place shortly.
