Mizoram is gearing up for a significant tourism and economic uplift with the inauguration of a tri-weekly express train between Sairang and Kolkata on September 13, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East policy. The 51.28 km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, built at a cost of Rs 8,071 crore, will connect Aizawl to the national network, overcoming the state's hilly terrain with 48 tunnels featuring Mizo cultural art, 55 major bridges (including one 114 metres high), and other infrastructure. This enhanced connectivity will ease travel, promote trade, and reduce isolation, fostering socio-economic development across the Northeast.

The new services—such as the Kolkata-Sairang express, a weekly Rajdhani to Anand Vihar, and a daily express to Guwahati—will make Mizoram more accessible, attracting tourists from regions like West Bengal.

Raj Basu, from the Association for Conservation and Tourism, emphasised the state's safe, friendly environment and natural beauty, particularly near the Myanmar borders, as a post-COVID draw. The rise of female-led homestays is empowering women and boosting visitor numbers, turning Mizoram into an ecotourism hotspot.

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This project not only bridges regional divides but also promises job creation in hospitality and trade, aligning with national infrastructure goals. By facilitating easier intrastate and cross-border movement, it paves the way for sustainable growth in the "land of blue mountains".

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