New Delhi, February 9, 2026 – Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw today inaugurated blended hospitality services at Guwahati Railway Station in Assam via video conferencing, while flagging off a new passenger train between Sairang (Mizoram) and Silchar (Assam), delivering a significant boost to rail connectivity in the Northeastern region.
The modern hospitality facilities at Guwahati include sleeping pods, an air-conditioned lounge, and multi-cuisine restaurants, designed to offer passengers a hygienic, comfortable, and customer-friendly experience. These upgrades aim to provide safe, convenient rest areas and elevate overall station usability for travelers.
Addressing the occasion, Shri Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s sustained focus on the Northeast. He noted a record allocation of ₹11,486 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27 for railway projects in the region, with ongoing works worth approximately ₹72,468 crore. “This reflects the Prime Minister’s vision that the development of the Northeast is integral to a Viksit Bharat,” he said, adding that improved rail links facilitate passenger mobility, goods movement, trade, and market access for local products.
The newly flagged-off Sairang–Silchar train service builds on the historic Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge line (51 km), which connected Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to the national rail network for the first time last year. The extension to Silchar enhances regional integration, benefiting southern Assam, Mizoram, and neighboring states.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma joined virtually and expressed gratitude for the railway initiatives connecting Mizoram and Assam, which will drive economic and social progress in the region.
Nationwide Rail Infrastructure Push
In a parallel development, Indian Railways approved a series of major projects across the country to eliminate bottlenecks, increase line capacity, improve safety, and enable smoother passenger and freight operations.
Key approvals include:
- Barbenda–Damrughutu doubling and Damrughutu–Bokaro Steel City 3rd & 4th lines in Jharkhand, strengthening the energy, mineral, and cement corridor.
- Electronic Interlocking commissioned at 34 stations on Northern Railway to enhance safety and train frequency.
- Rajpura Bypass Line to streamline freight movement and reduce congestion on the Ambala–Jalandhar section.
- Alappuzha–Ambalapuzha doubling in Kerala for better passenger and freight efficiency.
- Palakkad Bypass Project in Kerala to minimize detention at the busy junction.
- Irugur–Podanur doubling in Tamil Nadu, converting the Chennai–Coimbatore–Podanur corridor into a high-capacity four-line route.
These initiatives underscore Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to modernizing infrastructure, reducing travel times, and supporting balanced regional development nationwide.
The developments are particularly welcomed in border regions like Siliguri (West Bengal), a key gateway to the Northeast, where enhanced connectivity promises to improve trade, tourism, and mobility.
