By Ashwini Vaishnaw
For many decades, the North East was considered a distant frontier, waiting for development. Our brothers and sisters living in North Eastern states carried aspirations of progress, but the infrastructure and opportunities they deserved remained out of reach. All this changed when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the Act East policy. From a distant frontier, North East is now recognized as a front-runner.
Peace, Progress, Prosperity: This transformation has been made possible through record investments in railways, roads, airports, and digital connectivity. Peace accords are bringing stability. People are benefiting from government schemes. For the first time since independence, the North Eastern region is seen as central to India’s development story. Consider the investments in railways for instance. Railway budget allocation for the region has increased fivefold compared to the 2009-14. This fiscal year alone, ₹10,440 crore has been allocated. Total budgetary allocation since 2014 to 2025 is ₹62,477 Crore. Today, railway projects worth ₹77,000 crore are underway. Never before has North East witnessed such record levels of investment.
Mizoram’s First: Mizoram is part of this growth story. The state is known for its rich culture, love for sports, and beautiful hills. Yet, for decades, it remained distant from the mainstream of connectivity. Road and air connectivity was limited. Railways had not reached its capital. Aspirations were alive, but the arteries of growth were missing. That is not the case anymore. The inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line tomorrow by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, marks a historic milestone for Mizoram. Built at a cost of over ₹8,000 crore, this 51 kilometre project will connect Aizawl to the national railway network for the first time. Along with this, the Prime Minister will also flag off three new train services from Sairang to Delhi (Rajdhani Express), Kolkata (Mizoram express) and Guwahati (Aizwal Intercity). This railway line passes through difficult terrain. Railway engineers have built 143 bridges and 45 tunnels to connect Mizoram. One of the bridges is taller than the Qutub Minar. In fact, in this terrain, like in all other Himalayan lines, the railway line is practically built as a bridge followed by a tunnel followed by a bridge and so on.
Himalayan Tunnelling Method : The North Eastern Himalayas are young mountains, with large sections comprising soft soil and organic material. Constructing tunnels and building bridges in these conditions presented extraordinary challenges. Traditional methods fail because the loose soil can’t support the challenges of construction. To overcome this, our engineers developed a new and ingenious approach, now known as Himalayan Tunnelling Method. In this technique, the soil is first stabilised and then solidified to carry out tunneling and construction. This enabled us to complete one of the most difficult projects in the region. Another major challenge was ensuring the stability of bridges at great heights in a region prone to seismic activity. Here too, special designs and advanced techniques were deployed to make the bridges resilient and secure. This home-grown innovation is a model for similar terrains worldwide. Thousands of engineers, workers, and local communities came together to make this possible. When India decides to build, it builds smart!!
“Indian Railways is undergoing rapid modernization. Over 100 Amrit Bharat stations have been inaugurated, with 1200 more planned, to provide modern amenities and stimulate urban growth. There are more than 150 Vande Bharat trains, which have set new standards for passenger comfort. Almost the entire network has been electrified, making it more environmentally friendly. Since 2014, 35,000 kilometers of new tracks have been laid, exceeding the total from the previous six decades. Last year alone, 3,200 kilometers of new railway lines were added. This transformation is also visible in the North East.”
Benefits To The Region: Railways is considered as the engine of growth. It brings new markets closer and creates trade opportunities. For the people of Mizoram, the new railway line will improve the living conditions. With the introduction of Rajdhani Express in Mizoram, the travel time between Aizwal and Delhi region will be reduced by 8 hours. The new Express trains will also make travel between Aizawl, Kolkata, and Guwahati faster and easier. Farmers, especially those engaged in bamboo cultivation and horticulture, will be able to transport their produce faster and at lower cost to wider markets. The transport of essential commodities, such as food grains and fertilizers, will be easier. Tourism too will get a boost, as Mizoram’s natural beauty becomes more accessible. This will create opportunities for local businesses and youth. This project will also bring better access to education, healthcare, and employment for the people. For Mizoram, this connectivity promises all of that and more. From now on, Aizawl will no longer be seen as distant.
Development Across The Nation: Railways across the country is seeing record transformation. More than 100 Amrit Bharat stations were inaugurated recently, with 1200 more in pipeline. The stations will provide passengers modern facilities and cities new hubs of growth. More than 150 high-speed Vande Bharat trains are setting new benchmarks in passenger convenience. At the same time, electrification of almost the entire network is making it greener. Since 2014, 35,000 kilometres of tracks have been laid. This is more than what was achieved in the previous six decades combined. In the last year alone, 3,200 kilometres of new railway lines were added. This pace of development and transformation is visible in the North East too.
Vision For North East: The Prime Minister said, “For us, EAST means — Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform.” These words capture the essence of his approach to the North East. Decisive action on multiple fronts has ensured the transformation of the region . Large projects such as the Tata’s semiconductor facility in Assam, hydel power projects like Tato in Arunachal Pradesh, and iconic infrastructure like the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge are reshaping the region. Alongside these, the establishment of AIIMS at Guwahati and 10 new greenfield airports have strengthened healthcare and connectivity.
Frontier To Frontrunner: For decades, the people of Mizoram were told to wait for roads, schools, and railways. That wait is now over. These projects are a testament to our Prime Minister’s vision towards North East i.e once considered a frontier, now to be hailed as front-runner of India’s growth.
(The author is presently Union Minister For Railways, Electronics & Information Technology and Information and Broadcasting. Press Information Bureau- PIB, Srinagar has mailed this article to “Kashmir Horizon” for publication in this newspaper. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
