Bairabi-Sairang line: A 51-km-long engineering wonder of Indian Railways in Mizoram

The Bairabi–Sairang railway is more than steel and stone. It is a lifeline that promises a new identity for Mizoram

Mizoram has been regarded as one of India’s most beautiful yet remote states in India's northeast — green hills fading into the mist, endless bamboo forests, and vibrant cultural communities cut off by geography. Reaching its capital, Aizawl, once meant a five-hour drive through narrow highways that often collapsed during the monsoon.

That reality will soon change for good. A 51.38-km engineering marvel of Indian Railways — the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, built at a cost of over Rs 8,000 crore will bring the state capital Aizawl more closer to the mainland of India as it will be connected to Indian Railways network.

An engineering feat in the hills

The Bairabi–Sairang railway line features:

45 tunnels and 153 bridges.

India’s second tallest pier bridge, standing at 114 metres — taller than the Qutub Minar in Delhi.

Four brand-new stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang.

These achievements now firmly place Mizoram on the Indian Railways map, connecting the state to the national grid for the very first time.

Faster, safer, and cheaper travel

“The new railway cuts travel time between Aizawl and Silchar from seven hours by road to just three hours by train,” an official source said. “With passenger trains running at speeds up to 100 kmph, people in Mizoram can now reach healthcare facilities, universities and commercial hubs with far greater ease than ever before.”

“This leap in convenience is also about economics,” an official source in the Ministry of Railways said. “We estimate Mizoram’s regional GDP could grow by 2–3 percent annually with the Bairabi–Sairang line. For a state economy of around Rs 25,000 crore, that would mean an additional ₹500 crore every year.”

Numbers that tell the story

12.8 km of tunnelling through some of the toughest rock formations.

Cost escalation from the original Rs 5,020 crore to nearly Rs 8,000 crore.

Projected Rs 500–700 crore annual boost to Mizoram’s GSDP.

Expected 40–50% rise in tourism over the next five years.

Everyday savings, with essentials like food and fuel likely to drop 10–20% in cost.

From isolation to integration

The Bairabi–Sairang railway is more than steel and stone. It is a lifeline that promises a new identity for Mizoram — integrating the state with the rest of India, energising its economy, and opening its breathtaking landscapes and festivals to the world.