The Mizoram government is taking steps to streamline the issuance of Inner Line Permits (ILP) for passengers entering the state by train, following its recent inclusion on India’s railway map.

Home Minister K. Sapdanga on Tuesday visited the Sairang railway station, about 20 km from Aizawl, to inspect passenger reception and the ILP process. He held discussions with railway, police, and state officials on ways to make the system more efficient.

Sapdanga said the government had launched an online ILP portal in 2019, and offline application forms will soon be distributed to non-tribal passengers travelling by train. He added that the online guidelines are being upgraded and are close to completion. The minister also urged railway authorities to create separate exit gates for ILP holders and exempted residents to ease passenger flow.

During the visit, Sapdanga stressed the need for upgrading Sairang railway station, which currently handles 250–300 passengers per train. Railway officials informed him that a new rail terminal is under construction and will be completed within two years. Plans are also underway to set up a tourist facilitation centre at the station.

The 51.38 km-long Bairabi–Sairang railway line, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, has connected Mizoram’s capital Aizawl with the national railway network via Assam’s Silchar. Sapdanga was accompanied by Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, DGP Sharad Agarwal, and other senior officials during the inspection.