Aizawl, Feb 10: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated a new rail service connecting Sairang in Mizoram with Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district, marking a major step towards improved connectivity and economic integration in the Northeast.
A commemorative programme was held at Sairang railway station, attended by Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma along with senior ministers and officials. Addressing the gathering, Lalduhoma described the Sairang–Silchar rail link as a historic milestone in Mizoram’s development and said it would significantly strengthen ties with Assam.
The Chief Minister said the new service would expand market access for agricultural produce such as ginger and provide fresh momentum to the state government’s ‘Bana Kaih’ (handholding) scheme. He underlined Silchar’s role as a key economic gateway for Mizoram, stressing that the rail link went beyond passenger convenience.
Lalduhoma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy for bringing the Northeast onto the national development map through enhanced connectivity. He thanked Railway Minister Vaishnaw for responding to the state’s request to operationalise the route and praised the Railways and NF Railway’s Lumding division for rapid infrastructure development at Sairang station.
He also proposed the construction of a warehouse at Sairang, completion of the proposed rail line to Thenzawl Peace City, and extension of the New Delhi–Silchar Rajdhani Express up to Sairang to further strengthen rail connectivity and economic growth.
