Bairabi–Sairang Railway line

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated Mizoram’s first-ever railway line, marking a historic moment in the state’s connectivity journey

The Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge project is a 51.38-km line that will link Aizawl with Assam's Silchar town and then the rest of the country.
Aizawl becomes the 4^th northeastern capital to gain direct rail access, after Assam's Guwahati, Tripura's Agartala, and Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar.
Project sanctioned in - 2008-09 and
Project started construction in - 2015.
Nearly 54% of the alignment passes through tunnels and bridges.
The highlight of this route is India's second-highest railway bridge near Sairang, standing at 114 meters - 42 meters taller than the Qutub Minar.

India's first-highest railway bridge - Chenab Rail Bridge, the bridge is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

Significance - The Bairabi–Sairang railway is expected to transform logistics and tourism, reduce travel time and generate employment and a major step in implementing the government’s Act East Policy.

Quick facts

Other infrastructure project inaugurated

The 45-km Aizawl Bypass Road under PM-DevINE, the Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road and the Khankawn–Rongura Road under NESIDS, aimed at easing travel and improving access for farmers and traders.
Chhimtuipui bridge - Provide all-weather connectivity and support cross-border commerce under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework.
Three new long-distance rail services from Sairang to Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective travel options to the people.

Reference

Times of India | Mizoram’s first railway line