Northeast no longer a frontier waiting for progress but central to India’s growth story: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored the transformation of India’s Northeast, stating that the region is no longer a distant frontier waiting for development but has become central to India’s growth story.
“The inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line marks a historic milestone, connecting Mizoram to the national railway network and opening new avenues of trade, connectivity, and opportunity,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi also praised an article written by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, which highlighted how the Northeast is emerging as a frontrunner in India’s development journey.
“For many decades, the North-East was considered a distant frontier, waiting for development. Our brothers and sisters living in the northeastern states had aspirations of progress, but the infrastructure and opportunities they deserved remained out of reach. All this changed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Act East Policy. From a distant frontier, the North-East is now recognised as a front-runner,” said Vaishnaw in his article.
This transformation has been driven by record investments in railways, roads, airports, and digital connectivity. Peace accords have brought stability, and government schemes are directly benefiting people. For the first time since Independence, the Northeast is being viewed as central to India’s development agenda.
Highlighting the scale of investment in the northeast, Vaishnaw said the region’s railway budget allocation has risen fivefold compared to 2009–2014.. In the current fiscal year alone, ₹10,440 crore has been allocated, while the cumulative budgetary allocation from 2014 to 2025 stands at ₹62,477 crore. At present, railway projects worth ₹77,000 crore are under implementation – a record for the region.
Mizoram, he stressed, is central to this growth story. Long hampered by poor connectivity, with limited road and air links and no railway access to its capital, the state is set for a historic transformation. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, linking Aizawl to the national railway network for the first time.
Built at a cost of over ₹8,000 crore, the 51-km line posed major engineering challenges, requiring 143 bridges and 45 tunnels through difficult terrain. One bridge rises higher than Delhi’s Qutub Minar. The line, Vaishnaw noted, like other Himalayan routes, alternates between bridges and tunnels, making it a unique feat of infrastructure development.
PM Modi will also flag off three new train services from Sairang: the Rajdhani Express to Delhi, Mizoram Express to Kolkata, and Aizawl Intercity to Guwahati. The Rajdhani will cut travel time to Delhi by eight hours, while the express trains will significantly improve connectivity with Kolkata and Guwahati.
Vaishnaw said the new services will help farmers move produce faster and at lower cost, ensure supply of essential goods, and expand trade opportunities. They are also expected to boost tourism, create jobs for local youth, and improve access to education, healthcare, and employment across Mizoram.
