A new chapter is going to be added to the history of Mizoram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Rajdhani Express from Mizoram to Delhi on Saturday, September 13. This train will connect Sairang Station (Aizawl) to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi. The regular weekly service of this train will start from September 19, the information of which has been given by the Northeast Frontier Railway. This train will be the first direct rail service between Mizoram and the country’s capital. This train will cover a distance of 2,510 km in 43 hours 25 minutes, with an average speed of 57.81 km per hour.
Train timings and stoppages
On the inaugural day, September 13, the schedule of the train will be different from the regular service. This 20-coach train will leave Sairang station at 10 am and reach Anand Vihar at 7:30 am on Monday.
Under the regular service, this Rajdhani Express, train number 20597, will leave from Sairang on September 19 at 4:30 pm and reach Delhi on September 21 at 10:50 am. In return, as train number 20598, it will leave Anand Vihar on September 21 at 7:50 pm and reach Sairang on September 23 (Tuesday) at 3:15 pm.
This train will stop at 21 major stations between Sairang and Anand Vihar, including major stations like Guwahati, New Cooch Behar, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, Bhagalpur, Patna, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction, and Kanpur.
Engine change and other trains
According to railway officials, the new line between Bairabi and Sairang is not yet electrified, so diesel engines will be used in this section. The journey from Guwahati to Delhi will be completed by electric engines. Apart from the Rajdhani Express, PM Modi will also flag off two more trains: the Sairang-Guwahati Daily Express and the Sairang-Kolkata Tri-weekly Train.
A historic moment
This rail project is a historic moment for Mizoram. The Bairabi-Sairang Rail Project, which was proposed in September 1999, is now connecting Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, to India’s railway network. The project has been completed by overcoming challenges like difficult geographical conditions, limited working period, and frequent landslides. This new rail service will not only enhance connectivity in Mizoram but will also play a vital role in the development of the region.