Aizawl, June 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the much-anticipated Bairabi–Sairang broad gauge railway line, connecting the outskirts of Aizawl city, by July, a senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official said on Sunday.

While the final confirmation is awaited, the official clarified that no formal communication has yet been received from the Ministry of Railways regarding the Prime Minister’s visit.

The 51.38-kilometre railway stretch, part of a strategic connectivity project, is nearing completion, with key safety inspections already conducted. Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for Northeast Frontier Circle, Sumeet Singhal, inspected the Hortoki–Sairang section between June 6 and 10, and submitted his report to the Railway Ministry on June 11. Approval is now pending.

Earlier in July 2023, Singhal had also inspected the Bairabi–Hortoki section, which was subsequently cleared by the ministry in August. Train speed trials have been successfully conducted, signalling the line’s readiness for operational use.

As per updates from the Ministry of Railways, the project has achieved 94.5% physical progress and 97% financial completion. The rail link, built at a revised cost of Rs 5,021.45 crore, stands as a testament to engineering excellence amid Mizoram’s tough and mountainous terrain.

The scale of construction is formidable, involving 32 tunnels, 35 major bridges, and numerous smaller structures such as overpasses and underpasses. One of the highlights includes a bridge soaring 104 metres high, placing the project among India’s most challenging railway constructions.

Once operational, the Bairabi–Sairang line will not only bring Mizoram closer to the national railway grid but also enhance trade, mobility, and economic integration for one of the country’s most remote states.

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