The narrative of India’s development is incomplete without acknowledging the transformational journey of its Northeastern states. Once considered remote and infrastructurally isolated, the region is now witnessing a resurgence — thanks to the ambitious expansion of railway infrastructure. Indian Railways, with its resolute efforts, is not just laying tracks but also paving the way for inclusive growth and integration of the Northeast with the rest of the country.

The journey of railways in this region began in 1875, with the laying of a modest 38-mile track from Dalsinghsarai to Darbhanga in a drought-prone belt. This seemingly small step marked the genesis of what would eventually become a lifeline for the entire Northeast. Over the decades, this network expanded gradually. However, it is only in recent years-especially since 2014 — that a real thrust has been given to boost connectivity in the Northeast. The Prime Minister’s vision for “Act East” is not just geopolitical but also infrastructural. Leaders like Kiren Rijiju and Himanta Biswa Sarma were entrusted with pivotal roles in transforming the Northeast, and current Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is bringing this vision to life with rapid implementation.

One of the most significant achievements recently has been the successful extension of rail connectivity to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. This was made possible through the completion of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line. Previously, Bairabi in Kolasib district — located close to the Assam border — was Mizoram’s only railway station. Now, with the 51.38 km line extending to Sairang, a suburb just 20 km from Aizawl, Mizoram becomes the fourth Northeastern state with its capital linked to the national railway grid, after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Bairabi-Sairang line represents more than just geographical connectivity. With a revised budget of Rs 5,021.45 crore, the project has achieved over 94 per cent physical and 97 per cent financial progress. The engineering challenges of constructing in Mizoram’s hilly terrain were immense. The line includes 48 tunnels (totaling 12.85 km), 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, five road over bridges (ROBs), and six road under bridges (RUBs). One of its most impressive features, Bridge No. 196, stands at a towering height of 104 metres, surpassing even the Qutub Minar by 32 metres.

This project is part of a broader vision to connect all Northeastern capitals via rail. Other states are seeing similar developments. In Nagaland, the Dimapur-Kohima new line project (also called Dhansiri-Zubza line) is progressing steadily. Spanning 82.5 km, it starts from Dhansiri in Assam and ends about 15 km from Kohima. With a revised cost of Rs 6,663.20 crore, the project has reached 65 per cent physical and nearly 68 per cent financial progress, with a completion target of December 2029. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Murkongselek-Pasighat line aims to bolster connectivity between Assam and the state. This 26.15 km broad gauge project, costing Rs 414.84 crore, is expected to be completed by February 2026. It has already achieved 41per cent physical progress.

One of the most ambitious projects is the Sivok-Rangpo line, which will connect Sikkim — currently without any rail network — to the national railway grid. The 45 km line, with a cost of Rs 7,876.92 crore, has achieved 73 per cent physical progress. Set to be completed by December 2027, the project includes 14 tunnels, the longest being 5.3 km, and plays a vital role in both civilian mobility and defence logistics along the Indo-China border. In Manipur, the Jiribam-Imphal line — about 111 km long and worth Rs 14,322.79 crore — has achieved 91per cent physical progress. This line will integrate Imphal, the state capital, with the national network, enhancing both economic and strategic infrastructure.

Two major doubling projects — New Bongaigaon-Agthori via Rangia (142.97 km) and New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Kamakhya — are also being implemented. The former was commissioned in October 2024, while the latter is expected by March 2027. According to the Railway Ministry, as of April 1, 2024, a total of 18 railway projects (13 new lines and 5 doubling projects) are at various stages of development in the Northeast, covering 1,368 km with a total investment of Rs 74,972 crore. Of this, 313 km have already been commissioned, with Rs 40,549 crore spent till March 2024. Further data reveals that 81 km of the planned 896 km of new lines and 232 km of the planned 472 km of doubling projects have been completed. Investments of Rs 34,616 crore and Rs 5,933 crore have gone into these segments, respectively. In the past three years, 21 surveys (17 for new lines and 4 for doubling) covering 2,499 km have been approved, all fully or partially within the Northeast.

The average budget allocation for Northeast rail infrastructure has also seen a sharp rise. For 2025-26, Rs 10,440 crore has been earmarked — more than five times the average allocation of Rs 2,122 crore between 2009 and 2014.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is also making an impact in the region. In conclusion, railway development in the Northeast is not merely about connectivity — it is about empowerment, integration, and national progress.

With every track laid and every tunnel completed, the Indian Railways is stitching the Northeast into the economic and cultural fabric of the nation, ensuring that no region is left behind.

(The writer is a senior journalist. Views are personal)