Aizawl, Nov 24: On Monday, Mizoram's Chief Minister Lalduhoma held discussions with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi regarding significant railway projects in the state, according to an official statement.
During the meeting, Lalduhoma emphasized the importance of finalizing the alignment for the Sairang-Thenzawl railway line, which is crucial for the implementation of the Thenzawl Peace City master plan. Vaishnaw responded that the review of the alignment is expected to be completed by February 2026.
The Chief Minister also requested the minister to revise the train schedules for services between Sairang and Guwahati, as well as Sairang and Kolkata, to ensure that trains arrive at Sairang earlier than the current timings for the convenience of passengers.
In response, Vaishnaw agreed to make adjustments to the train schedules.
Lalduhoma pointed out that the Rajdhani Express currently takes 42 hours and 20 minutes to travel from Sairang to New Delhi. He urged the minister to reduce this travel time and increase the frequency of the service from once a week to twice.
Vaishnaw acknowledged the request and agreed to cut the travel time by approximately 4 hours, stating he would consult with officials about the possibility of increasing the train frequency.
Additionally, Lalduhoma proposed integrating Mizoram's Inner Line Permit (ILP) portal with the IRCTC ticketing system to streamline travel procedures for visitors. Vaishnaw agreed to look into this matter and take appropriate action.
The minister also advised the Chief Minister to identify a suitable location for establishing a warehouse or cold storage facility near the Sairang station to cater to agricultural and logistical requirements.