Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway station at Sairang, marking the completion of the ₹8,070 crore Bairabi–Sairang Rail Line, a project that finally connects Aizawl to the Indian Railways network. Despite bad weather preventing him from addressing a rally at Aizawl’s Lammual Ground, PM Modi spoke virtually from Lengpui Airport, describing the day as “historic for Mizoram.”

Mizoram: First Rajdhani Express and New Railway Era

• Historic Connectivity: Until now, Mizoram’s rail link was limited to the Silchar–Bairabi route in Assam. The new 51 km Bairabi–Sairang line brings Aizawl onto the national railway map for the first time.
• Engineering Marvel: The project comprises 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 88 minor bridges, built through challenging hilly terrain.
• Flagged Off Services: PM Modi launched Mizoram’s first Rajdhani Express connecting Sairang to Delhi’s Anand Vihar. Two more services—Sairang–Kolkata Express and Sairang–Guwahati Express—were also inaugurated.
• Boost for Growth: The line is expected to cut transport costs, boost trade, tourism, and generate jobs while integrating Mizoram with India’s mainstream economy.

PM Modi said, “This is not just a railway line, it is a lifeline that will transform lives in Mizoram.”

PM Modi on Vote Bank Politics in Northeast

During his speech, the Prime Minister also touched upon the political neglect of the Northeast in the past:

Manipur Visit: First Since Ethnic Violence

After Mizoram, PM Modi headed to Manipur, making his first visit since the ethnic violence of May 2023, which displaced thousands and led to President’s Rule being imposed in February 2025.

• Churachandpur Visit: Modi is expected to meet internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur, a Kuki-majority district.
• Imphal Programmes: In the Meitei-dominated capital, Imphal, he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth over ₹3,600 crore, including roads, highways, IT infrastructure, working women’s hostels, and the Ima Markets (the world’s largest all-women-run market).
• Symbolic Visit: His visit to both Kuki and Meitei areas is being seen as a strong message of reconciliation and inclusive development.

PM Modi posted on X:
“I will be attending programmes in Churachandpur and Imphal tomorrow. We are fully committed to inclusive and all-round development of Manipur.”

₹71,000 Crore Push for Northeast

The PM’s three-day tour across five Northeastern states includes projects worth over ₹71,000 crore, spanning railways, highways, power, digital infrastructure, and social development initiatives. Officials call it one of the biggest-ever development drives in the region.

Why This Visit Matters

• First railway connectivity for Mizoram’s capital.
• First Prime Ministerial visit to Manipur since ethnic conflict.
• Strong message of inclusive growth and ending neglect of the Northeast.
• Massive development boost across five states.

This moment marks both a historic leap in connectivity and a politically significant outreach to one of India’s most sensitive regions.

The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a major espionage racket linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and arrested a 43-year-old Nepali citizen, Prabhat Kumar Chaurasia, for supplying Indian SIM cards that were being used in Pakistan.

According to officials, Chaurasia had procured 16 Indian SIM cards (Airtel and Jio) using his Aadhaar card. Out of these, 11 SIM cards were traced as active on WhatsApp in Pakistan, in cities like Lahore and Bahawalpur. The SIM cards were smuggled through Nepal to ISI handlers, who used them to attempt contact with Indian Army officials.

Attempts to Extract Sensitive Defence Information

Police investigations revealed that Chaurasia had been in touch with ISI operatives since 2024. The Pakistani agency allegedly lured him with promises of a US visa and a career in journalism abroad in exchange for his services.

Through the WhatsApp accounts registered on these Indian SIMs, attempts were being made to extract sensitive defence-related information. Delhi Police has registered a case under sections 61(2)/152 of the BNS at the PS Special Cell and further interrogation of the accused is underway to uncover wider links.

Pakistan’s Continued Espionage Attempts

This case adds to a long list of espionage attempts by Pakistan that Indian security agencies have foiled over the years. By exploiting loopholes in telecom systems and targeting vulnerable individuals with financial or career incentives, ISI has repeatedly tried to infiltrate Indian defence communications.

Officials pointed out that routing SIM cards through Nepal is a known ISI tactic to bypass direct detection. The fresh module’s bust highlights how Pakistan continues to adopt underhanded methods to destabilise India and gather intelligence.

Timing Amid Strained India-Pakistan Relations

The incident comes against the backdrop of tense India-Pakistan ties, particularly after the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where India publicly exposed Pakistan’s role before the international community. This exposure has reportedly irked Islamabad, prompting renewed espionage efforts.

Indian agencies, however, remain vigilant. The arrest of Chaurasia and the exposure of this spy module is seen as a major success in neutralising Pakistan’s covert operations.

Significance of the Bust

• Prevented possible leaks of defence information.
• Exposed ISI’s recruitment tactics using false promises of foreign visas and careers.
• Highlighted the use of telecom loopholes (routing SIMs via Nepal).
• Strengthened India’s counter-espionage operations at a sensitive time in regional security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit Mandi and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh, which have been ravaged by cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides since June 20. The heavy monsoon has left behind massive destruction, claiming 370 lives and causing damages estimated at ₹4,122 crore, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).

PM Modi’s Visit

The Prime Minister arrived at Gaggal Airport, where he was received by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, and several legislators.

During his visit, PM Modi was scheduled to be briefed by the Chief Minister and senior officials about the scale of the disaster. BJP leaders were also expected to apprise him of the challenges on the ground.

Monsoon Toll on Himachal Pradesh

• Total deaths: 370 (205 due to rain-related incidents + 165 in road accidents)
  • Landslides: 43 deaths
  • Cloudbursts: 17 deaths
  • Flash floods: 9 deaths
• Missing persons: 41
• Infrastructure damage:
  • 619 roads closed (including 4 national highways)
  • 1,748 power transformers disrupted
  • 461 water supply schemes damaged
• Property damage:
  • 6,344 houses affected
  • 461 shops and factories damaged
  • Extensive destruction of government and private lands

CM Sukhu’s Appeal to PM Modi

Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, Chief Minister Sukhu posted on X, expressing the state’s grief over the loss of lives, villages being buried under debris, and severe disruptions to basic infrastructure.

He said he would:

• Request relaxation in the Forest Conservation Act to provide forest land to families rendered landless.
• Urge the PM to initiate a national-level dialogue on a sustainable development model for hill states.
• Highlight the impact of climate change on fragile Himalayan ecosystems, stressing the urgent need to rethink developmental strategies.

Significance of the Visit

PM Modi’s aerial survey and on-ground briefing mark the Centre’s direct involvement in assessing the disaster’s impact. Himachal Pradesh has repeatedly raised demands for special financial assistance, pointing to the recurring monsoon devastations in recent years. The PM’s visit is also seen as critical for ensuring quicker disaster relief, rehabilitation, and long-term planning for resilience against extreme weather events.

Wider Context

Himachal Pradesh, prone to landslides and flash floods due to its mountainous terrain, has been witnessing increasingly intense monsoon patterns — widely attributed to climate change and unregulated construction in eco-sensitive zones. Experts have warned that unless corrective measures are taken, the frequency and severity of such disasters will rise, threatening both lives and infrastructure in the Himalayan region.