Aizawl: Indian Railways will operate two special trains between Guwahati and Aizawl to ease commuter movement in view of Christmas, Mizoram Rajya Sabha member K. Vanlalvena said.
He said he had requested Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce special trains between Guwahati and Aizawl (Sairang) to address the increased number of commuters during the festive season.
The Union Railway Minister accepted the request and decided to operate two special trains, he said.
The 14-coach special trains will run from Guwahati to Aizawl on December 22 and 24 and return from Aizawl to Guwahati on December 23 and 25, he added.
He said the special arrangement would significantly ease travel for commuters intending to return to their villages for Christmas and New Year.
Vanlalvena said that residents of Mizoram and Manipur living in Delhi and other metropolitan cities, who were unable to secure tickets on direct trains to Aizawl, can now book tickets to Guwahati and travel to Mizoram on these special trains.
Mizoram has emerged as an important transit point for Kuki-Zo people from Manipur travelling to other parts of the country or returning to their villages after ethnic violence broke out in the neighbouring state in May 2023, as they no longer dare to travel via Imphal.