The construction of new railway lines in the north-eastern Indian federal states bordering China has been marked by significant cost increases and delays. Five projects with a total volume of EUR 13.4 billion (INR 1.37 trillion) are facing massive time and cost overruns. The 110.6 km Jiribam – Imphal line, which began construction in 2003, is not expected to be completed until 2027, with costs rising from EUR 71 million to EUR 2.4 billion. Similar developments can be seen in the Sivok – Rangpo, Dhansiri – Zubza and Byringat – Shillong projects, some of which will not be completed until 2040 and whose costs have increased many times over. The 51.4 km Bairabi – Sairang line received safety approval after 17 years of construction, despite concerns raised by former chief engineer Alok Kumar Verma. He criticises the fact that 96% of the line runs through tunnels, deep cuttings and bridges, resulting in low travel speeds and increased risks. Previous experience with the Lumding – Silchar line shows that unstable slopes and heavy rainfall can lead to operational disruptions and safety issues.
