Guwahati: The Indian Railways is significantly contributing towards the transformation of the northeastern states by executing several new railway line projects. The new railway lines are being constructed to connect all the state capitals of the northeastern region under capital connectivity projects. The Bhairabi-Sairang new railway line project to connect the northeastern state of Mizoram to the rest of the country is one such project which is at an advanced stage of completion.
This project, once completed, will mark the dawn of a new era in terms of communication and commerce in the northeastern region of the country, especially in Mizoram. The Bhairabi-Sairang project aims to create an additional 51.38-kilometre railway track in the hill state. The project has already achieved physical progress of 91 per cent, Guwahati-based Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway), Sabyasachi De said.
Construction of the Bhairabi-Sairang railway project involves multiple tunnels and bridges in tough terrains. The total length of tunnels in this project is 12,853 metres out of which 12,710 metres of tunnelling work has already been completed. The project will have a total of 55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges, out of which, work for 12 major bridges and 85 minor bridges have been completed so far. The work of construction of the tallest pier of the project, pier P-4 of bridge number 196 in the approach of Sairang station, has also been completed. The height of this pier is 104 metres, which is 42 metres taller than the Qutub Minar in New Delhi. "The project also includes seven road over bridges and nine road under bridges," CPRO De said.
Though there are many challenges in the execution of this project including very less working seasons due to very heavy and prolonged monsoons, very tough and hilly terrain through deep forests, poor accessibility, non-availability of construction materials and skilled labourers in Mizoram among others, the NF Railway is making all efforts for fulfilling its commitment of earliest commissioning of the project, CPRO De added.
CPRO De further said that the new rail project will provide enhanced connectivity to the people of Mizoram, help grow small-scale industries in the area and boost tourism of the state. People of the region will get long-distance access across the country and an uninterrupted supply of essential goods at low costs can be done to Mizoram to cater to the needs of the people of the state.
The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.
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