42 meters taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar
Digital Desk: In a historic leap for connectivity, Mizoram, capital Aizawl, is now officially connected by the Indian Railways.This is accompanied by the final stage of the BairabiSairang New Line Railway Project, that has been constructed and passed the safety test of the ambitious project.
It is a 51.38 km broad-gauge line which connects Bairabi with Sairang, a town only 20 km away from Aizawl. The final Railway Safety (CRS), Northeast Frontier Circle between 6th June 6 to 10th June. The rigorous inspection included motor trolley and foot surveys, followed by a high-speed trial run, clearing the section for public operations at speeds up to 90 kmph.
The project is located in a difficult terrain with hills, which makes the engineering extraordinary. The recently commissioned Hortoki-Sairang stretch has 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges. The entire Bairabi -Sairang route has 48 tunnels totalling 12.8 km, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, 5 road overbridges and 6 road underbridges.
Among the most impressive elements of the project is Bridge No. 196 that rises to a majestic height of 104 meters, or an entire 42 meters higher than Delhi's major tourist attraction site, Qutub Minar. The project was implemented in four sections, namely Bairabi--Hortoki, Hortoki--Kawnpui, Kawnpui--Mualkhang, and Mualkhang--Sairang.
This strategic rail connectivity is set to greatly benefit the passenger and freight transportation, economic development, and will also translate into reality a long-cherished dream of the people of Mizoram. More importantly, it reflects Indian Railways' strong commitment to connecting remote and strategic regions with the national rail network, reinforcing unity and development across the country.
