Guwahati, 09th February, 2026: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lalduhoma and Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today inaugurated the New Passenger Facilities at Guwahati Railway Station, Assam and flagged off the Sairang–Silchar New Train Service. The auspicious occasion was also joined by Shri Kanad Purkayastha, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Assam and Shri Parimal Suklabaidya, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri TBC Lalvenchhunga, Hon’ble MLA, Mizoram and other dignitaries. The initiatives mark an important step towards strengthening rail connectivity and improving passenger amenities across the Northeast region.
According to an official statement given by Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, the New Passenger Facilities at Guwahati Railway Station have been developed to enhance the overall travel experience of passengers by providing clean, safe and comfortable resting facilities, including modern lounges and sleeping pods. The facility also ensures dedicated, hygienic and secure amenities for women travellers and contributes to an improved, passenger-friendly station environment in the Northeast.
The Sairang–Silchar Passenger Train will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between Mizoram and Assam. The service will benefit the people of Silchar as well as Mizoram by improving access to education, healthcare, markets and administrative centres. It is expected to boost tourism, facilitate easier movement of goods between the two states, enable the supply of goods manufactured in Mizoram to markets in Silchar and reduce dependence on road transport, particularly in the hilly terrain.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram stated that the launch of the new Sairang–Silchar train service represents a major boost to rail connectivity for Mizoram, offering passengers a reliable, comfortable and affordable travel option. He further noted that the service would promote tourism and local economic activities while improving access to education and advanced medical facilities in Silchar, thereby greatly benefiting students and patients from Mizoram.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in his address, stated that extensive work is underway to improve connectivity in Assam and the entire Northeast, with several new projects being taken up and many long-pending projects already completed. He noted that over the past 11 years, nearly 1,900 kilometres of new Railway tracks have been constructed across Northeast, marking a transformational phase for rail infrastructure in the region.
The Union Minister highlighted that the train service flagged off today between Silchar and Sairang adds a new dimension to the benefits being extended to the people of Mizoram and Assam. He observed that the extension of Railway connectivity to Sairang had been inaugurated a few months ago by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, followed by the introduction of new train services and that the Government has been receiving positive feedback from citizens regarding improved connectivity to Mizoram.
Shri Vaishnaw further stated that the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Finance Minister have taken a decision to bring a bullet train corridor up to Siliguri via Varanasi and Patna. He noted that this corridor opens up future possibilities for extending high-speed rail connectivity further towards Guwahati.
Emphasising the long-term vision for the Northeast, the Union Minister stated that multiple Railway projects are underway which will completely transform connectivity in the region. He highlighted proposed new Railway lines from Kokrajhar to Gelephu and from Banarhat to Samtse to strengthen connectivity with Bhutan, and informed that work on the Sevok–Rangpo Railway line is progressing at a fast pace.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated that the Hon’ble Prime Minister firmly believes in the development of Purvodaya, and in line with this vision, a historic railway budget allocation of Rs.11,486 crore has been provided for the Northeast. He stated that this enhanced allocation is accelerating the execution of several important railway projects and will play a key role in driving economic growth, mobility and integration of the region with the rest of the country.
These projects reflect Ministry of Railways’ continued efforts to strengthen rail infrastructure, improve service quality and ensure inclusive regional development in the Northeast. The initiatives are expected to boost mobility, tourism, trade and socio-economic growth while bringing the region closer to the national rail network.
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