‘Lifeline of transformation’: Modi puts Aizawl on rail map

In all, PM Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated development works worth over Rs 9,000 crore in Aizawl. He also flagged off three new express trains, Sairang (Aizawl)-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Rajdhani express, Sairang-Guwahati Express and Sairang-Kolkata Express. He could not come to the Aizawl ground due to the bad weather and addressed the gathering through video conferencing from Mizoram’s Lengpui airport.

Modi said that overcoming many challenges, including the difficult terrain, the Bairabi-Sairang line became reality owing to the skill and spirit of engineers and workers.

“I bow to the supreme God Pathian, who watches over this beautiful land of the Blue Mountains…Our hearts have always been directly connected with each other. Now, for the first time, Sairang in Mizoram will be connected directly with Delhi by the Rajdhani Express. This is not just a railway connection, but it is a lifeline of transformation. It will revolutionise the lives and livelihoods of the people of Mizoram. Farmers and businesses of Mizoram can reach more markets across the nation. People will be able to access more options for education and healthcare. This will also create employment opportunities in tourism, transport and hospitality sectors,” said Modi.

He added that Mizoram has a major role in both our Act East Policy and the emerging North East Economic Corridor. “With the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project and Sairang-Hbichhuah Railway line, Mizoram will also get connected to the Bay of Bengal through South East Asia. Due to this, trade and tourism will be boosted across North East India and South East Asia,” he said.

The Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project links Kolkata to Sittwe port in Myanmar via sea link, before reaching Zorinpui in Mizoram. Beyond that, a network of road and rail projects such as the Bairabi-Sairang line and its proposed extension, the 223-km Sairang to Hbichhuah (on Mizoram’s border with Myanmar), is seen as India’s answer to flexing by Bangladesh and China.

Modi said that over the years, many states of the North East have been put on the rail map of India for the first time and Mizoram will also benefit from the UDAN scheme for air travel. Soon, helicopter services will begin to improve access to remote areas of the state.

Taking a dig at opposition parties, Modi said, “…Those who were earlier neglected, are at the forefront now. Those who were once marginalised, are the mainstream now. For the past 11 years, we have been working for the development of the North East. This region is becoming the growth engine of India.”

He further said, “Whether in our country or abroad, it gives me great happiness to play the role of an ambassador of the beautiful culture of the North East. Encouraging platforms that showcase the potential of the North East is important…When I talk about being Vocal for Local, it greatly benefits the artisans and farmers of the North East too. Mizoram’s bamboo products, organic ginger, turmeric and bananas are well-known.”

PM Modi also said that the GST reforms, which were recently announced, will boost east of living and east of doing businesses. “This means lower taxes on many products, making life easier for families. Before 2014, even daily essentials like toothpaste, soap and oil were taxed at 27%. Today, only 5% GST is applicable. The new GST rates will also make medicines for serious diseases such as cancer more inexpensive. After September 22, cement and construction materials will also become cheaper. Many companies that manufacture scooters and cars have already reduced prices. I am sure that the festive season this time will be even more vibrant across the nation,” said the PM.

The Bairabi-Sairang line, which cuts through Kolasib and Aizawl districts of Mizoram, has 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 88 minor bridges, five Road over Bridges (ROBs) and six Road Under Bridges (RUBs), of which Bridge No. 196 or the Kurung Bridge is the highest at 114 metres, 42 metres taller than the Qutub Minar. On August 23, 2023, a steel girder on the Kurung bridge collapsed, killing at least 23 workers.

Almost 54 per cent of the line is in tunnels and bridges only. Initially the cost of the project was Rs. 5021.45 crore, which was later revised to almost Rs 8,100 crore.

Earlier, there was only a small metre-gauge line in Mizoram, which was laid in the late 1980s. It was only in May 2016 that the 84-km-long metre-gauge line between Katakhal (Assam) and Bairabi (Mizoram) was brought on the Broad Gauge network of the Indian Railways. It was the first time when the state received its first freight train with 42 wagons of rice and a passenger service flagged off virtually by PM Modi. Beyond Bairabi, which served as the railhead, the entire state depended on the depleted road network for transportation of people and freight.