“Northeast emerging as growth engine of India”: PM Modi in Aizawl

Ushering in what he described as a “lifetime of transformation” for Mizoram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that for decades vote bank politics has left the North East region neglected but now it is emerging as the “growth engine of India”.

Addressing a public gathering at Lammual in Aizawl, the Prime Minister inaugurated Mizoram’s first-ever rail line, the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway project, and flagged off a Rajdhani Express service connecting Aizawl directly with Delhi.

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The Prime Minister said the event marked not just the addition of Mizoram to India’s railway map but also a new chapter in the Northeast’s integration with the rest of the country.

He recalled how for decades, vote-bank politics left the Northeast, including Mizoram, neglected. “Those who were marginalised are now in the mainstream. Our approach is different — we are strengthening all forms of connectivity: rail, road, and air,” he said, pointing to Mizoram’s inclusion under the UDAN scheme to enhance air access to remote areas.

“Two years ago, I laid the foundation stone, and today we dedicate this rail line to the people of Mizoram, overcoming difficult challenges. The skills of our engineers and the spirit of our workers made this possible,” Modi said.

The new connectivity, he noted, would open up national markets to Mizoram’s farmers and entrepreneurs, while making education, healthcare, and trade more accessible. Cement, construction materials, and other essentials would become cheaper with reduced GST and transport costs, he added.

Highlighting the broader transformation of the Northeast, Modi said the region was now emerging as the “growth engine of India.”

He linked Mizoram’s rail development with regional and international integration, citing the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, which will connect the state to the Bay of Bengal through Southeast Asia. This, he said, will strengthen India’s “emerging Northeast economic corridor.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted Mizoram’s youth as a major force for the future. He noted the establishment of 11 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the state and pointed to over 4,500 start-ups and incubators across the Northeast, positioning it as a hub for innovation. He also mentioned the Khelo India initiative and events like the Ashtalakshmi Festival in Delhi, which offer platforms for youth to showcase their talent and cultural heritage.

PM Modi underlined India’s strong economic momentum, noting that the country grew at 7.8% in FY 2025–26, driven by Make in India and a surge in exports. “Our soldiers showed the world India’s strength during Operation Sindoor, where Made-in-India weapons played a decisive role,” he said. “Just as the nation is moving forward, Mizoram too will play a vital role in our development journey.”

Calling the day “historic,” Modi said,“From today, Aizawl is on India’s railway map. This is a transformation for generations to come.”