Mizoram train underscores frontier to front-runner vision

Trains bring new markets closer and create trade opportunities. For the people of Mizoram, the new railway line will improve living conditions

For many decades, the North-East was considered a distant frontier, waiting for development. Our brothers and sisters living in northeastern states carried aspirations of progress, but the infrastructure and opportunities they deserved remained out of reach. All this changed when Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi initiated the Act East policy. From a distant frontier, the North-East is now recognised as a front-runner.

For Mizoram, this connectivity promises all of that and more. From now on, Aizawl will no longer be seen as distant. (ANI Video Grab)

This transformation has been made possible through record investments in railways, roads, airports, and digital connectivity. Peace accords are bringing stability. People are benefiting from government schemes. For the first time since Independence, the northeastern region is seen as central to India’s development story.

Consider the investments in railways for instance. Railway budget allocation for the region has increased fivefold compared to the 2009-14. This fiscal year alone, ₹10,440 crore has been allocated. Total budgetary allocation from 2014 to 2025 is ₹62,477 Crore. Today, railway projects worth ₹77,000 crore are underway. Never before has the North-East witnessed such record levels of investment.

Mizoram is part of this growth story. The state is known for its rich culture, love for sports, and beautiful hills. Yet, for decades, it remained distant from the mainstream of connectivity. Road and air connectivity was limited. Railways had not reached its capital. Aspirations were alive, but the arteries of growth were missing. That is not the case anymore.

The northeastern Himalayas are young mountains, with large sections comprising soft soil and organic material. Constructing tunnels and building bridges in these conditions presented extraordinary challenges. Traditional methods fail because the loose soil can’t support the challenges of construction. To overcome this, our engineers developed a new and ingenious approach, now known as the Himalayan Tunnelling Method. In this technique, the soil is first stabilised and then solidified to carry out tunnelling and construction. This enabled us to complete one of the most difficult projects in the region.

Another major challenge was ensuring the stability of bridges at great heights in a region prone to seismic activity. Here too, special designs and advanced techniques were deployed to make the bridges resilient and secure. This home-grown innovation is a model for similar terrains worldwide. Thousands of engineers, workers, and local communities came together to make this possible. When India decides to build, it builds smart!

Trains bring new markets closer and create trade opportunities. For the people of Mizoram, the new railway line will improve living conditions. With the introduction of Rajdhani Express in Mizoram, travel time between Aizawl and Delhi will decrease by eight hours. The new Express trains will also make travel between Aizawl, Kolkata, and Guwahati faster and easier.

Farmers, especially those engaged in bamboo cultivation and horticulture, will be able to transport their produce faster and at lower cost to wider markets. The transport of essential commodities, such as food grains and fertilisers, will be easier. Tourism too will get a boost, as Mizoram’s natural beauty becomes more accessible. This will create opportunities for local businesses and youth. This project will also bring better access to education, health care, and employment for the people.

For Mizoram, this connectivity promises all of that and more. From now on, Aizawl will no longer be seen as distant.

Indian Railways is seeing a record transformation. More than 100 Amrit Bharat stations were inaugurated recently, with 1,200 more in pipeline. The stations will provide passengers modern facilities and cities new hubs of growth. More than 150 high-speed Vande Bharat trains are setting new benchmarks in passenger convenience. At the same time, electrification of almost the entire network is making it greener.

Since 2014, 35,000 kilometres of tracks have been laid. This is more than what was achieved in the previous six decades combined. In the last year alone, 3,200 kilometres of new railway lines were added. This pace of development and transformation is visible in the North-East too.

The Prime Minister said, “For us, EAST means — Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform.” These words capture the essence of his approach to the North East: Decisive action on multiple fronts has ensured the transformation of the region, large projects such as Tata’s semiconductor facility in Assam, hydel power projects like Tato in Arunachal Pradesh, and iconic infrastructure like the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge are reshaping the region. Alongside these, the establishment of AIIMS at Guwahati and 10 new greenfield airports have strengthened health care and connectivity.

For decades, the people of Mizoram were told to wait for roads, schools, and railways. That wait is now over. These projects are a testament to the PM’s vision for the North-East — once considered a frontier, now to be hailed as the front-runner of India’s growth.

Ashwini Vaishnaw is Union minister of railways, information and broadcasting, and electronics and information technology. The views expressed are personal