166/2023-2024
Aizawl, the 7th August 2023: Through his Twitter Handle, Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, on behalf of the state of Mizoram thanked the Union Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister for approval of the final location survey of a 223 km rail line from Sairang (Aizawl) to (Hbichhuah) the Myanmar border in the southern end of Mizoram.
Governor stated that it is yet another positive decision for the development of Mizoram and the people of Mizoram are thankful to the Union Government for connecting two extremely distant points through a railway line.
The office of DGM, Northeast Frontiers Railways issued a press release in this connection as reproduced below.
Final Location Survey for new line from Sairang to Hbichhuah sanctioned Will provide major boost to Act East Policy
As a part of the Act East Policy, Indian Railways is planning to link Myanmar border in Mizoram by rail. Railway Board has recently accorded its approval for the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the 223 km, Sairang (Aizawl) to Hbichhuah in Mizoram, near the Myanmar border.
Considering the strategic importance of the region and vis-à-vis economic development, the Ministry of Railways has decided to take up the project. This project will provide one more access to Northeast India through Hbichhuah. It is expected that it will lower the cost and time of transportation of goods via Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Northeast. The Sittwe Port in Myanmar was recently inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.
N. F. Railway is currently executing a 51.38 km long broad-gauge railway line project between Bairabi and Sairang, work for which is going on in full swing. Another, final location survey of the 111 km long Imphal – Moreh railway line connectivity project along the Myanmar Border is also expected to be completed soon.
The proposed new broad-gauge line, will promote trade connectivity and ties between India and Myanmar and the wider region. It will also help in boosting the economic development of Northeast states.