Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], September 13 : Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and commitment to Mizoram as he inaugurated the Bairabi-Sairang rail line, worth over Rs 8,070 crore.
Addressing the public meeting in Aizawl, he acknowledged the challenges in building the Bairabi-Sairang railway line, which includes 45 tunnels and 55 bridges.
He said, "Today, Mizoram's capital gets railway connectivity. I congratulate all of you, gathered in thousands, on this great historic day. The Bairabi-Sairang railway line was a very challenging project. It includes 45 tunnels and 55 major bridges. It is a series of tunnels and bridges because of the Himalayan mountains and deep valleys."
"One bridge in Mizoram is taller than Qutab Minar in Delhi... All this was possible because of Prime Minister Modi's strong leadership and firm commitment to Mizoram," he added.
He said that the three express trains flagged off by PM Modi will connect the state to major cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, and will increase tourism in Mizoram.
"This line will now connect Mizoram with Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and many other destinations. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started three new trains. First, the Rajdhani Express to New Delhi, second, the Mizoram Express to Guwahati and third, the Kolkata-Mizoram Express to Kolkata. The railway connectivity will help the entire country experience the natural beauty of Mizoram. Tourist arrivals will increase, home stays will become popular and new jobs will be created," the Railways Minister said.
He added, "We are also starting cargo operations within the week. The cost of cement and steel will be reduced, and the time taken to bring essential items will be significantly reduced. We are also starting a refrigerated coach. Turmeric, ginger and unique fruits of Mizoram will now find new markets.'
Lauding Centre's 'Act East' policy, he noted that the railway budget for North-East India has witnessed a five-fold increase.
"Before it was just 'Look East' but Modi ji brought 'Act East'. Before 2014, the budget for railways for the North-east was only Rs 2000 crore. Modi ji increased it five times to Rs 10,000 crore. Today, railway projects of Rs 77000 crore are undergoing construction in the North East. That is our Prime Minister's doctrine of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas'," Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram's first railway, the Bairabi-Sairang, which will ensure connectivity of the northeastern state to the rest of India.
PM Modi also flagged off the express trains of Sairang (Aizawl)-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Rajdhani Express, Sairang-Guwahati Express and Sairang-Kolkata Express on this occasion.
Apart from the railway line, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of multiple road projects. It includes Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl-Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn-Rongura Road.