Aizawl: In a landmark achievement for the northeastern region, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) successfully conducted its inaugural trial run to Sairang, located in Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, on Wednesday, May 1st.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in enhancing railway connectivity to the northeastern state, positioning Mizoram as the fourth state in the region to boast capital connectivity to the national railway network.
The historic trial operation was overseen by Arun Kumar Chaudhary, the General Manager (Construction) of NFR, alongside other prominent railway officials, underscoring the project’s importance and the unwavering commitment of the NFR team in navigating challenging terrains and logistical complexities.
Following the triumphant trial run to Sairang, Chaudhary provided a comprehensive briefing to the Governor of Mizoram, General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, and the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, detailing the scope, progress, and strategic significance of the Bhairabi-Sairang railway project. Chaudhary affirmed that the construction work on the project is proceeding smoothly and according to schedule.
Further elaborating on the project’s timeline, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, announced that the Commissioner of Railway Safety is slated to conduct an inspection in early June. The formal inauguration of the much-anticipated Bhairabi-Sairang railway line is expected to take place after June 17th.
During his interactions, Chaudhary also highlighted the formidable engineering obstacles that were successfully overcome during the construction phase, emphasizing the substantial economic and social benefits the railway line is poised to deliver to the region.
The 51.38-kilometer Bhairabi – Sairang New Line Railway Project stands as an impressive feat of Indian Railways engineering. This complex undertaking incorporates 48 tunnels with a total length of 12,853 meters, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges.
Notably, Bridge No. 196 soars to a height of 104 meters, making it 42 meters taller than the iconic Qutub Minar. The project also includes the construction of 5 Road over Bridges and 6 Road under Bridges. The entire new line project is strategically divided into four sections: Bhairabi to Hortoki, Hortoki to Kawnpui, Kawnpui to Mualkhang, and Mualkhang to Sairang.
The Northeast Frontier Railway has reiterated its dedication to the swift completion of this vital new rail project, which is poised to significantly transform connectivity within Mizoram. The project’s objectives include a substantial boost to local tourism, providing crucial support to small-scale industries, and significantly reducing transportation costs for both passengers and goods. By shortening the travel time between Mizoram’s capital and the rest of the country, the new railway line will ensure improved access to essential supplies and facilitate smoother long-distance travel across India.
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