Aizawl-based environmental organisation Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ) has strongly voiced Mizoram Railway Extension Opposition, warning that the proposed expansion from Sairang to Hmawngbuchhuah in the state’s southern region could pose serious ecological challenges. The group stressed that Mizoram’s fragile hills and fast-depleting water sources cannot withstand another large-scale infrastructure project.
CESJ treasurer Saizampuii Sailo said the extension toward Hmawngbuchhuah, located near the Myanmar border in Lawngtlai district, threatens to damage vital river systems and further strain the state’s delicate environment. She cautioned that the region is already witnessing shrinking water sources, and large construction activities could accelerate an impending water crisis.
Sailo also highlighted socio-demographic concerns, arguing that railway access may lead to an influx of outsiders, citing examples from other northeastern states. “Nagaland refused to extend its railway line deeper into the state after the Dimapur route triggered migration. Meghalaya, too, opposed a similar project due to fears of demographic imbalance,” she noted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sairang–Bairabi railway line in September, connecting Mizoram with the national rail network for the first time. The project, considered one of the toughest undertaken by Indian Railways, links Aizawl with the rest of the country via Silchar in Assam. Since its launch, the state has recorded a rise in tourist arrivals.
However, CESJ maintains that the next phase of railway expansion must be reconsidered. The organisation pledged to oppose the plan “till the end,” urging policymakers to prioritise sustainability over large-scale development. They emphasised that safeguarding Mizoram’s environment is critical to ensuring long-term water security and ecological balance.
