1 Trains from (PTKD)PATHARKANDI to (KUGT)KUMARGHAT

Mizoram, o­ne of the seven sister states of Northeast, is the southernmost landlocked state in the region sharing domestic borders with the states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur and international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Central Government has put in a lot of efforts for development of Mizoram in the past eight years. As part of the Central Government’s plan to connect capitals of all capital cities of the North-eastern states by broad gauge rail link, Northeast Frontier Railway is executing the 51.38 Km long new broad gauge railway lines Project from Bhairabi to Sairang at an anticipated cost of Rs. 6,527 crore to connect Aizawl (capital of Mizoram). This project has been accorded the status of “Project of national importance”. This Project includes construction of 04 new stations, 55 most important bridges, 87 small bridges, 11 Road Over Bridges/ Road Under Bridges, and 12.6 km of tunnel work.

The survey for two other BG Railway lines has also been completed in the state. A 43.15 km rail link between Patharkandi(Assam) to Kanhmun(Mizoram) will provide o­ne more entry to this state apart from the existing station of Bhairabi. The other completed survey for a new line between Sairang to Hmawngbuchhuah (266 km) has also been completed which will provide the strategic connectivity to the port over Kaladan river in Myanmar.

The already existing Silchar – Bhairabi meter gauge railway system was converted to broad gauge o­n 27^th May, 2016. The Katakhal – Bhairabi gauge conversion work was also completed at a cost of Rs. 509 crore. As part of the Ministry of railways policy for 100% electrification, all routes coming up in Mizoram will also be electrified.

After the completion of all the new line projects and infrastructural development work, connectivity to and within Mizoram will get a major boost. International connectivity between India and Myanmar will also gather a new momentum. The economy of the state will get the push required for its holistic development.

Apart from these new lines, other basic infrastructures have also been augmented in Mizoram. o­ne Foot Over Bridge was constructed at Bhairabi station during 2018-2019. Two Road Under Bridge constructed during 2017-2019 and Four Road Over Bridge during 2017-21 The railway system has also been made passenger friendly by providing toilets for Divyangjan and Platform shed at Bhairabi railway station. Free high-speed Wi-Fi services have been provided at Bhairabi station during 2019-20. As a part of NFR’s Go-Green mission Bhairabi railway station in Mizoram has been provided with 100% LED lights during 2017-18. 06 Shramik Special trains arrived in Mizoram with about 8000 stranded people from different places during the peak of COVID pandemic. 01 Shramik Special train also departed from Mizoram carrying stranded people. Bhairabi station was opened for all goods traffic both outward and inward. 125 freight trains arrived in Mizoram out of which 110 with essential commodities during 2014-22.

Better rail connectivity will lead to economic development not o­nly of the people of the Mizoram but also for the entire NE region.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) of N. F. Railway apprehended 7 Rohingyas o­n 16^th March, 2022, from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. A joint team of Meri Saheli and Childline of New Jalpaiguri, during a routine checking, detected suspicious activity of a group of people at platform No. 01 of New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. The group consisted of six females and o­ne male.

On preliminary enquiry, they revealed that they were residing at Camp No. 5 near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. They illegally crossed the Bangladesh - India Border and came to Kumarghat Railway Station, Tripura and boarded train No. 13174, Kanchanjunga Express o­n 15^th March, 2022 to Sealdah.

On 16^th March, 2022, they all de-boarded at New Jalpaiguri station. Their prospective plan was to avail a journey from New Jalpaiguri to New Delhi by train No. 22449 (Purvottar Sampark Kranti Express) supposed to depart from New Jalpaiguri at 13: 25 hours.All of them were brought to GRP office of New Jalpaiguri for further interrogation so that their exact details can be scooped out.

RPF of N. F. Railway is always vigilant and alert towards illegal infiltration from border areas. As railway always portraits an easy transportation means from fur flung areas to other parts of the country for these infiltrators, RPF keeps up a steady routine checks at railways stations and trains to prevent it.