Delhi, Feb 9:Strengthening rail connectivity and giving new momentum to the development of the Northeast,Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated blended hospitality services at Guwahati Railway Station in Assam through video conferencing on Monday.
He also flagged off a new train service between Sairang and Silchar Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram; Parimal Suklabaidya, Member of Parliament from Silchar; Kanad Purkayastha, Member of the Rajya Sabha; and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The Sairang - Silchar passenger train will directly connect Mizoram’s capital with Assam’s Barak Valley, improving regional integration and providing students, daily commuters, and patients with safe, fast, and comfortable travel.
At the same time, modern hospitality facilities at Guwahati railway station, including sleeping pods, a modern air-conditioned lounge, and multi-cuisine restaurants will enhance passenger comfort and provide a refined, hygienic, and customer-friendly travel experience. These facilities ensure travelers have access to safe, convenient, and restful environments, improving overall station usability.
Vaishnaw, in his address said that the government has significantly increased rail funding for the region over the past decade, with a record allocation of Rs11,486 crore in the Union Budget 2026‑27 for northeastern states. He added projects worth around Rs 72,468 crore are already underway in the region, underscoring a sustained push to enhance connectivity and infrastructure.
The Union Minister said that this focus reflects the Prime Minister’s belief that development of the Northeast is integral to a “Viksit Bharat” and that every region must progress together. He emphasized that rail connectivity not only facilitates passenger movement but also boosts economic activity, enabling easier movement of goods, fostering trade, and opening up markets for local products.
Vaishnaw highlighted that the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, which connects Mizoram’s capital to the Indian Railways network, has been a historic and technically challenging project completed under this expanded focus. He noted that this rail link, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, will be further enhanced with additional train services, improving connectivity from Mizoram to Assam and beyond.
He pointed out that the new passenger train service between Sairang and Silchar will significantly improve regional integration, benefiting residents of southern Assam, Mizoram, and other northeastern states.
Lalduhoma expressed gratitude to the Railway Minister. He highlighted various railway projects and initiatives connecting Mizoram and Assam, which will benefit the region.
Over the past decade, the Northeast’s railway map has been rapidly transformed, with long-pending projects becoming reality and state capitals steadily linking to the national network. The commissioning of Mizoram’s 51 km Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge line last year brought Aizawl onto India’s railway map for the first time, and the extension of passenger services up to Silchar now takes this connectivity forward, improving mobility and driving growth across the region.
