UP Tourists Get Affordable Rail Link To Mizoram; Journey To Begin From September 13

Mizoram, the scenic northeastern state rich in natural resources, will be connected to India’s rail network from September 13, making it more accessible for tourists from Lucknow and across Uttar Pradesh. Travellers can now reach Aizawl, the state capital, by train from Kanpur via Silchar, providing an affordable alternative to flights from Delhi.

The new rail line comes amid a growing interest in northeastern tourism following the Pulwama attack, with Mizoram emerging as a new destination after Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The route is expected to also boost trade, enabling traditional Mizoram bamboo products and tribal textiles to reach Lucknow at lower costs.

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The 51.38-kilometre railway line from Bairabi to Sairang is considered one of India’s most challenging railway projects. Proposed in 1999, the project faced hurdles including inaccessible mountains, dense forests, heavy rainfall, and frequent landslides. It was declared a National Project in 2008-09, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone on November 29, 2014.

A highlight of the route is Bridge No 196, standing 114 metres tall, making it 42 metres higher than the Qutub Minar. The line also includes 48 tunnels (12.85 km in total), 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, 5 ROBs, and 6 RUBs. The alignment was designed shorter than the road, requiring complex tunnels and valley crossings.

PK Kshatriya, Chief Administrative Officer of the Railway Construction Organisation from January 2023 to January 2025, played a key role in the project. Retiring recently as ADG of RDSO, Kshatriya described challenges including rain suspensions for six months, transporting girders over 200 km roads built for the project, managing labour shortages, and harsh local conditions.

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Businessman Dennis, associated with tourism in Aizawl, expects the rail line to boost tourist arrivals, especially during festivals like Chapchar Kut in March, the Flower Festival, and Christmas. The new connectivity will also facilitate medical travel, allowing patients referred to Guwahati to avoid long waits and expensive flights.

The Rs 8,071-crore project marks a milestone 77 years after independence, with contributions from engineers and planners in Lucknow and across India, opening a new chapter in northeastern connectivity and regional development.