New Sairang-Delhi train via Bhagalpur a lifeline for migrants and farmers

Bhagalpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Sairang (Aizawl)-Anand Vihar Terminal Rajdhani Express has been warmly welcomed by Bhagalpur residents living in Mizoram, who say the new service will transform travel to their homeland.Madhvendu Pathak, originally from Bhagalpur, has been living in Lunglei, Mizoram, since 1994. Now head of the chemistry department at Lunglei govt college, he described the difficulties of travelling home for family visits. “Lunglei is nearly 160km south of Aizawl, a 6-7 hour journey through hilly terrain. From Aizawl I had to take a flight to Kolkata, then a train to Bhagalpur, and sometimes even a bus and hotel stay if connections were missed,” he said. Each trip cost between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per person. “Now it will be very easy to reach Bhagalpur and other parts of Bihar, saving money and ending the hassles. I thank PM Modi for his vision to connect Mizoram with Delhi via Bhagalpur,” he added.His brother, Raghvendu Pathak, an associate professor of chemistry at Puchhunga University College in Aizawl, said, “Mizoram is famous for its natural beauty, friendly people and peaceful society. But travelling to Bhagalpur was extremely difficult and expensive. The new Rajdhani Express will be a lifeline for Bhagalpur residents here. It will also help transport Mizoram’s cash crops such as ginger, turmeric, banana, pineapple and chillies, opening new business avenues for farmers,” he said, adding that the train would promote Mizoram’s bamboo crafts, textiles and traditional shawls across India.Priyanshu, an engineering graduate from NIT Mizoram now working in Bengaluru, said the service would make his travel easier. “Commuting between Bengaluru, Bhagalpur and Mizoram will be more pocket-friendly. The train will also boost tourism and hospitality in Mizoram,” he said.The Rajdhani will depart Sairang at 4.30pm on Fridays from Sept 19, reaching Bhagalpur at 6.10pm Saturday and Anand Vihar Terminal at 10.50am Sunday after covering 2,512km via Guwahati with nine stoppages. The return train, 20508, will leave Delhi on Sundays at 7.50pm, reach Bhagalpur on Monday afternoon and arrive at Sairang on Tuesday.