Since the inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line in September 2025, over 22,000 Inner Line Permits (ILPs) have been issued to visitors arriving at Mizoram’s Sairang railway station, according to police officials.
The ILP is a mandatory travel document for Indian citizens entering protected areas like Mizoram, as per the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, which was implemented by the British in 1875.
A police officer at the ILP counter reported that 20,914 permits were issued to tourists, traders, and migrant workers between September 13, 2025, and the end of last year. An additional 1,517 permits were issued between January 1 and 8, bringing the total to 22,431.
“On average, 100–200 ILPs are issued per train, with typically two trains arriving daily,” the officer said. Tourists made up most visitors in October and November, while migrant workers and traders dominated arrivals in December.
Authorities also noted attempts to bypass the ILP process, and some beggars were sent back to their native villages. Visitors have come from across India, including Delhi, West Bengal, southern states, and neighbouring Assam, which accounted for the largest number of arrivals.
Police admitted to manpower challenges, with 20 officers managing ILP verification, maintaining law and order, and performing duties of the Government Railway Police (GRP), which has yet to be formally notified. Officers often work late into the night due to train delays and resume duties early in the morning, without additional allowances for the GRP role.
The 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, 2025, also introduced Mizoram’s first Rajdhani Express connecting to Delhi, alongside two other trains linking Aizawl with Kolkata and Guwahati, marking a major step in the state’s connectivity.
