Aizawl: Travellers heading home for Christmas and New Year will have a helping hand this year, as Indian Railways plans to run two special trains between Guwahati and Aizawl. The announcement was made by Mizoram Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena.
Vanlalvena said he had approached Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to set up extra services on the Guwahati–Aizawl (Sairang) route, pointing out the heavy travel expected during the festive season. The minister approved the request, and the trains will now operate as planned.
The first train will leave Guwahati for Aizawl on 22 December, with a second departure on 24 December. Return services from Aizawl to Guwahati are scheduled for 23 and 25 December. Each train will have 14 coaches, providing much-needed additional capacity during the holiday rush.
The MP noted that the special trains will also be a boon for Mizoram and Manipur residents living in Delhi and other large cities, many of whom struggle to get direct tickets to Aizawl. Travelling via Guwahati will now give them a convenient option.
Vanlalvena added that Mizoram has become an important transit route for the Kuki-Zo community from Manipur. Many people from the community have avoided the usual Imphal route in the wake of ethnic violence and are using Mizoram as a safer corridor to reach home or other parts of the country.
“These trains are not just for festive travel. They are also meant to help people who have been displaced or are looking for a safer way to return to their villages,” he said.
The announcement has been welcomed locally, with officials noting that it should ease congestion on regular trains and make holiday journeys smoother. Passengers have been advised to plan, as seats on the special trains are expected to sell out quickly.
With these additional services, families across Mizoram and Manipur can look forward to celebrating the festive season with a little less travel stress.