“For years we could not send our bamboo and other handicraft materials to the rest of the country. Now, with the new railway line, we hope artisans can finally earn more,” says Mafaka, a 40-year-old craftsman who runs a handicraft shop in Aizawl. His words capture the long-awaited relief and optimism felt by Mizoram’s artisan community as the state is finally linked to India’s national railway network.
A new railway line to redefine the Northeast
The opening of the 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway line, constructed by Indian Railways, is being hailed as a turning point for Mizoram. Built at a cost of over ₹8,000 crore, the line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13. For the first time, Aizawl, the hill state’s capital, will have direct railway connectivity with the rest of the country.
A lifeline for handicrafts
For Mr Mafaka and many others in the handicraft sector, the new line is not just about improved mobility, but about economic survival. “Until now, transporting goods by road meant exhausting journeys that took too long, while flights were too costly. Train travel offers an affordable option and will help us send bamboo crafts, cane products, and handwoven textiles to markets across India,” he says.
