Title - Bairabi-Sairang rail project faces forest, reflief hurdle

Construction work for the proposed Bairabi-Sairang railway in Mizoram could not be started due land acquisition and forests clearance.Railway Task Force chairman Zasanga will hold a review meeting at I&PR Conference hall on Monday.While all matters of land acquisition and compensation within Aizawl district have been completed, the same is still pending in Kolasib district.Meanwhile, construction department of Northern Frontier Railway has already floated a tender for laying of rail tracks.The Bairabi-Sairang (Sihhmui) railway line will be 51 km long, covering 40 km within Kolasib district and 11 km within Aizawl district.Rs 2,380 crore has been earmarked for completion of the project and this amount is estimated to cover all the expenses for railway lines, tunnels, bridges and even compensation.Besides previously proposed stations at Bairabi, Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, Sairang (Sihhmui), Khamrang village has also asked for the same, matter of which is being decided.The survey work for the proposed railway line is conducted by RITES, and is expected to complete within 3 years.The railway line will be a broad gauge one but care has been taken not to disturb the water reservoir at Bairabi, officials said.