Bairabi-Sairang Railway Project: With the inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line today, Mizoram has now been officially connected to the country’s rail network. Along with three new passenger trains linking Aizawl to Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati, the Ministry of Railways is also set to launch freight train services. This will reduce logistics costs and enhance trade opportunities.
Freight Train Operations in Mizoram
Mizoram’s first goods train will commence operations tomorrow, September 14 (Sunday). With this, the region will be benefitted from the transportation of cement, steel, and household goods via the new railway line, making these products more affordable.
On Friday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the possibility of transporting organic, fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers, and exotic fruits like dragon fruit from Mizoram to other parts of the country via the railway network.
“This model is inspired by the successful apple transportation service from Kashmir to Delhi, aimed at promoting local businesses and enhancing economic opportunities,” he said. The Minister stated that improved connectivity will make it easier for tourists to visit the region and has already received widespread appreciation.
Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line Inauguration
This 51.38-km-long Bairabi-Sairang rail line is set to change the rail connectivity in the Northeast. Built at a cost of around Rs 8,071 crore, the Bairabi-Sairang railway line has 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, 5 road overbridges, and 6 road underbridges along the route. Among these, Bridge No. 196 stands at a height of 114 meters—an impressive 42 meters taller than the Qutub Minar.
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Significance of Bairabi-Sairang Rail Line Project
The Bairabi-Sairang rail line will not only bring ease and convenience to inter-state travel for locals, but also serve the purpose of intrastate and cross-border movement. Besides making travel easier, it will lead to socio-economic development, boosting tourism and other trade sectors-not only in Mizoram but across the other North-Eastern states as well.
Railway Budget for Northeast India
Vaishnaw also emphasized the significant increase in budgetary allocation for the Northeast’s railway development, which rose from approximately Rs 2,000 crore annually before 2014 to approximately Rs 10,000 crore now.
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