Railways Minister felicitates teams Behind Bairabi–Sairang and Araria–Galgalia new rail line projects

Guwahati: The Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, felicitated the Railway teams behind the successful completion of the Bairabi – Sairang and Araria – Galgalia New Rail Line Projects at a ceremony held on October 29th, 2025 at the Railway Board, New Delhi.

The event was graced by Satish Kumar, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board; Arun Kumar Chaudhary, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction); Anjani Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer, N.F. Railway (Construction), Hitendra Goyal, Chief Administrative Officer, N.F. Railway (Construction) and other senior officials and team members associated with both landmark projects.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast frontier Railway (NFR) through a press statement said that the Bairabi–Sairang New Line Railway Project, a historic milestone for the Northeast, brings rail connectivity to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram for the very first time integrating the state into India’s national railway network. The project was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, at Aizawl, Mizoram on 13th September 2025. Spanning 51.38 kilometres, it showcases remarkable engineering with 45 tunnels, 143 bridges (including one taller than the Qutub Minar) and four new stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang and Sairang. Despite the region’s challenging terrain and adverse weather, the Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) team successfully executed this complex project, which is expected to greatly enhance trade, tourism and socio-economic growth across Mizoram and the broader Northeast.

Similarly, the Araria – Galgalia Broad Gauge Line Project, covering 110.75 kilometres under Northeast Frontier Railway has reached full completion following the statutory inspection conducted by Sumeet Singhal, Commissioner of Railway Safety, from 9th to 11th July 2025. On 15th September 2025, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, flagged off train services in the Araria – Galgalia (Thakurganj) New Rail Line section, marking a major milestone in the project’s operationalisation. With all sections, including the Rahamatpur – Pawakhali stretch, now commissioned, the line features 64 major bridges, 264 minor bridges and 15 stations. It has been authorised for train operations at 100 kmph, promising to strengthen connectivity and spur regional development in Bihar and adjoining areas.

The awards presented by the Minister recognise the extraordinary dedication, innovation, and teamwork of the Railway officials and engineers who made these ambitious projects possible. Both the Bairabi – Sairang and Araria – Galgalia projects stand as shining examples of Indian Railways’ commitment to expanding the rail network, bridging remote regions and driving inclusive development through modern infrastructure.