Rajdhani to Mizoram Wins Hearts, Rail Cargo Boosts Northeast Economy

Guwahati, 02nd October, 2025: Indian Railways has received an overwhelming response from both passengers and freight customers following the commissioning of the Bairabi–Sairang Railway line in Mizoram, along with the launch of freight services from Molvom in Nagaland. Within only a few weeks of operations, passenger and freight services have registered remarkable success, reflecting the aspirations and confidence of the people who view the railways as a true lifeline of growth and development.

Since the introduction of passenger train services from Sairang on 13th September 2025, the response from travellers has been extraordinary, with several trains consistently reporting more than full occupancy. According to an official statement by Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, train No. 20507 (Sairang–Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi) Rajdhani Express recorded an impressive 162.5% occupancy, while the return service, train No. 20508 (Anand Vihar Terminal–Sairang) Rajdhani Express, registered 158.3%. Guwahati-bound trains also witnessed robust demand—Train No. 15609 (Guwahati–Sairang) Express achieved 100.1% occupancy with a fully booked sleeper class, while Train No. 15610 (Sairang–Guwahati) Express maintained nearly 100% occupancy.

The newly launched Kolkata services too attracted tremendous patronage. Train No. 13126 (Sairang–Kolkata) Express reported almost 100% occupancy, while its return service, Train No. 13125 (Kolkata–Sairang) Express, achieved an impressive 144.8% occupancy, with sleeper class touching around 144%. These consistent trends strongly highlight the demand for direct and dependable railway connectivity to and from Mizoram.

On the freight operations side, eight rakes were unloaded at Sairang station by 30th September 2025. The first rake, arriving on 14th September, carried 21 wagons of cement from STAR Cement Siding, Tetelia near Guwahati. This was followed by three rakes of stone chips, one rake of automobiles, one rake of ready-mix concrete (RMC), and one rake of sand from Bairabi. The first-ever parcel consignment from Sairang was booked on 19th September, when Anthurium flowers were dispatched to Anand Vihar Terminal through the parcel van of train No. 20507 Rajdhani Express.

 Molvom station in Nagaland also entered the freight map in September 2025. The first inward rake with 41 wagons of cement from Telangana was successfully received on 24th September. Subsequently, on 29th September, the first outward rake carrying 42 wagons of stone chips was loaded from Molvom to Jirania.

The rising demand for passenger as well as freight services underlines how railway connectivity is steadily transforming the Northeast. More than just convenience, these new links are set to fuel economic growth, improve market access for local products, and generate new avenues for trade and employment across the region.