How Indian rail is pushing beyond Chicken's Neck, one capital at a time

India Today

16 hours ago

In 1962, when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the 1.3-km-long Saraighat Bridge across the Brahmaputra, Guwahati became the first major commercial and urban centre in the Northeast to join India's rail map. Sixty years on, India is bringing the entire Northeast on the railway map, one capital at a time. After Agartala and Itanagar, Aizawl – Mizoram's capital – is all ready to be connected to the rail network. The rail connectivity marks a turning point for the region beyond what's called the strategic Siliguri Coridor or the "Chicken's Neck".advertisementAfter the safety inspection of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line connecting Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, in the last week of June, it is just a matter of time the link becomes operational. The project's inauguration is expected after the Railway Board gives the green signal, declaring the line fit for both goods and passenger trains.Sairang, the satellite town, is roughly 20 kilometres from Aizawl.
Aizawl is set to become the fourth Northeast capital connected to the rail network, following Dispur (Guwahati), Arunachal Pradesh's Itanagar (Naharlagun), and Tripura' Agartala.The Indian Railways, too, is 'acting east'.The rail connectivity of the Northeast, linking one capital after another, promises to boost trade, commerce, and also the untapped tourism in the tricky terrain. Needless to say, these rail links will strengthen India's strategically crucial Northeast too.Scenic views are so raw and rare, that even famous travel vloggers will stand in awe.This rail development in the Northeast comes just weeks after the Kashmir Valley celebrated a similar milestone, with Srinagar finally being linked to the Indian Railways network. PM Narendra Modi on June 6 dedicated the railway line to the nation which traverses the Pir Panjal range through several tunnels, viaducts, curves and bridges, including the world's highest Chenab Bridge and the cable stayed Ajni Khind Bridge.
A shining, Made-in-India Vande Bharat train negotiates a curve on the way to Srinagar. (Image: PTI)
MIZORAM'S CAPITAL AIZAWL IS SET TO GET RAIL CONNECTIVITYThe 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang railway line to Mizoram's capital is a Rs 5,021-crore project, linking Bairabi near Assam's border to a satellite town, Sairang, 20 km from Aizawl.Almost all the civil work traversing the landslide-hit Lushai Hills in Seismic Zone-V has been done, and the inauguration is pending.The single non-electric rail route includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and a 104-metre-tall pier, 42 metres taller than New Delhi's Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret.advertisementThe Bairabi-Sairang railway project faced significant challenges due to the region's prolonged monsoon season and frequent landslides, which complicated construction.The project also encountered labour shortages, as most workers were sourced from other states, and the tough, hilly terrain posed logistical and engineering obstacles. Despite these hurdles, the 51-km line has been designed to withstand heavy rains and ensure durability for over a century.
A collage of railway tunnels on the Bhairabi–Sairang line, each infused with vibrant murals, reflecting Mizoram's cultural heritage. (Images: Ministry of Railways)
The rail to Aizawl, divided into four sections, saw its Bairabi-Hortoki segment, towards Assam, operational in July 2024.Now, with the remaining section thrown open to the public, it will cut travel time between Mizoram and Assam by three to four hours. It would also help in faster deployment of troops in the crucial sector.HOW PARTITION LEFT NORTHEAST CUT OFF FROM REST OF INDIAAfter the Partition in 1947, the Northeast's rail link to the rest of India was severed as the connection to Guwahati passed through East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). It left National Highway 31 (old number) through the Siliguri Corridor, the only land connection to the rest of India.advertisementThis hindered economic growth and integration. Initial steps included road and air improvements, but rail connectivity was critical and inevitable.The Saraighat Bridge, completed in 1962, was a game-changer. It reconnected Guwahati to the national rail network and boosted trade and mobility. It still remains a vital artery for Assam and the Northeast.
Before the Saraighat Bridge, Assam's rail network was largely metre gauge. It had links running through East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). It also had a route connecting Makum and Margherita in the mineral-rich region in Upper Assam's far-east. (Image: AFP)
DAILY TRAINS, DIRECT TO DELHI. HOW ARUNACHAL CAME ON INDIA'S RAIL MAPIn April 2014, Arunachal Pradesh's capital region joined the rail network with the 21-kilometre Harmuti (Assam)-Naharlagun line, costing Rs 590 crore. With Naharlagun near the capital city of Arunachal, Itanagar became the second Northeast capital area to be connected by rail.Sanctioned in 1996-97, the project faced delays due to alignment changes before finally opening in 2014.After its completion, the Naharlagun station began hosting daily trains to Guwahati and Tinsukia in upper Assam, along with a biweekly AC Express service to Delhi.A train with a state-of-the-art Vistadome coach from Guwahati to Naharlagun, which operates on special occasions, is a visual treat, offering panoramic views of the Brahmaputra basin, lush floodplains, foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, and stretches of dense teak plantations.A Vistadome coach is a special train coach with large windows, a glass roof, and rotating seats that let passengers enjoy beautiful views during the journey.
The Naharlagun-Guwahati Shatabdi Express with its Vistadome coach with panoramic windows, glass roof, and rotating seats, promises a breathtaking travel experience through Northeast India's scenic landscapes. (Images: Ministry of Railways)
ROUTE TO AGARTALA, SCENIC NO MORE? BROAD GAUGE SPEED REPLACED SLOW METER GAUGE CHARMadvertisementThe next Northeastern capital to find a place on India's rail map was Tripura's Agartala.advertisementAlthough it was earlier linked via a metre-gauge line, it was in 2016 that a broad-gauge line reached the city, officially making it the third Northeast capital with rail connectivity. The standardisation of gauge gave it seamless connectivity, unlike earlier when Lumding acted as a transit point.The new Agartala railway station building, inspired by the architecture of the Ujjayanta Palace, is a spectacular specimen of royal Tripuri heritage. It is one of the most striking stations, not just in the Northeast, but all of India.The route, connected through Assam's Silchar, traverses the scenic Barak Valley, known for its rolling hills, lush forests, and tea gardens.The old metre-gauge route was considered one of the most scenic in India.Winding through misty hills, deep gorges, and crossing the iconic Haflong bridge, the journey to Agartala from Lower Assam was a spectacle. While most of that charm was lost with the broad-gauge conversion, which replaced the leisurely 30 kmph rides with faster, more efficient trains.Reports now suggest that the Northeast Frontier Railway is considering preserving parts of the metre-gauge network as a heritage route.
Clockwise from top left: The curved Haflong bridge in both its old metre-gauge and new broad-gauge forms; the India-Bangladesh railway link at the Tripura border; the grand Agartala Railway Station inspired by the Ujjayanta Palace; the 2022 landslide at New Haflong station in Dima Hasao. (Images: PTI/AFP/Ministry of Railways)
The conversion to broad gauge significantly enhanced connectivity, enabling direct train services from Agartala to major cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi.From Agartala, the railway route via Akhaura extends to Bangladesh, forming part of Indian Railways' grand plan to link Kolkata and Agartala through Dhaka, bypassing the much longer route via Malda, New Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, and Badarpur.Now, nine years after Agartala's broad-gauge connectivity, it is Mizoram's capital, Aizawl's turn.With an inauguration expected soon, the Northeast will be further integrated. However, the route remains susceptible to landslides, with 2022 witnessing a major disruption that cut-off rail connectivity for months.Dispur, Itanagar, and Agartala -- done. What about the rest? The plan is already on track, with capitals like Manipur's Imphal, Nagaland's Kohima, Meghalaya's Shillong and also Sikkim's Rangpo, and then Gangtok, are next in line to be linked.IMPHAL, KOHIMA, SHILLONG, GANGTOK: THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR RAIL CONNECTIVITYThe Ministry of Railways aims to connect all Northeast capitals by 2030. Projects, at different stages, are underway to connect more Northeastern capitals by rail.The 82-kilometre Dimapur–Zubza line will bring rail connectivity close to Kohima, which lies around 20 kilometres away. However, Dimapur, the state's largest commercial centre located on the Assam border, has long been served by the New Delhi-Dibrugarh main line, which has been in operation for decades.The 110-kilometre Jiribam–Tupul line is nearing completion, with Imphal just 25 kilometres from the railhead.
A 2023 image of the Noney Bridge, the world's tallest railway pier bridge at 141 metres, part of the 111-km-long Jiribam–Imphal railway line. The construction of the bridge is now complete. (Image: Ministry of Railways)
Meghalaya's capital, Shillong, is also yet to be directly connected by rail. Byrnihat, part of the under-construction Tetelia–Byrnihat line, aims to eventually extend rail connectivity closer to the hill station. A future extension from Byrnihat to Shillong, roughly 100-kilometres away, is planned to directly connect Meghalaya's capital to the national rail network.In Sikkim, the brother of the seven sisters, the 44-kilometre Sivok–Rangpo line is in progress.A second phase will extend it to Gangtok and further eastward to the China border at Nathu La. Over 80% of the Sivok–Rangpo railway line is planned to run through tunnels or underground, making it one of the most tunnel-intensive rail projects in India.That's the journey so far, and more milestones are yet to be reached.It all began in 1962, when the Saraighat Bridge reconnected Guwahati to the national rail network. It laid the foundation for the Northeast's integration with the rest of India. More than six decades later, the connectivity project has gained momentum, with one capital after another being connected through tunnels, bridges, and tough terrain. If all goes well, the 2030 target of linking every Northeastern capital by rail will be achieved.- Ends