The Bairabi-Sairang railway line has finally placed Aizawl on India’s railway map after overcoming major hurdles like tough terrain, short working seasons, and frequent landslides. Conceptualised in 1999, the 51.38-km line was commissioned in June this year by the Commissioner of Railway Safety and will soon be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Initially, due to dense forests and poor visibility, a full survey wasn’t possible. A reconnaissance survey was approved in 2003, followed by a geo-technical investigation by RITES, which submitted its final report in 2011. The project was declared a “National Project” in 2008-09, and its foundation stone was laid in 2014.
Construction began in 2015-16 but faced numerous challenges. The region allows work for only 4-5 months due to heavy monsoons. The route, passing through hills and valleys, required tunnels, tall bridges, and faced transport issues. Labour had to be brought from other states, and materials like sand and stones came from Assam and Meghalaya. The line features 48 tunnels, 142 bridges, and steep terrain.
+ There are no comments
Add yours