Aizawl: Central transfers to Mizoram have seen a substantial rise under the Union Budget, with higher tax devolution, grants-in-aid, and sustained capital support underscoring the Centre’s continued emphasis on infrastructure-led development in the north-eastern state.According to Budget estimates, Mizoram has been allocated Rs 8,608 crore under tax devolution for 2026-27, while grants-in-aid for 2025–26 stand at Rs 3,219 crore. Between 2014 and 2026, the state has cumulatively received Rs 46,513 crore through tax devolution and Rs 41,396 crore as grants-in-aid from the Centre.
Beyond finance commission transfers, Mizoram has benefited significantly from the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure (SASCE) scheme, which provides 50-year interest-free loans for capital investment, with the Centre bearing the interest burden. Under this scheme, the state received Rs 200 crore in 2020-21, Rs 300 crore in 2021-22, Rs 298 crore in 2022-23, Rs 748 crore in 2023-24, Rs 1,361 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 341 crore in 2025-26 (up to Jan 2026), taking total releases since 2020-21 to Rs 3,243 crore.These allocations coincide with a series of large-scale infrastructure initiatives in Mizoram. On Sept 13, 2025, development projects worth over Rs 9,000 crore across railways, roads, energy, sports, and connectivity were inaugurated or had foundation stones laid, aimed at integrating the state more closely with national development networks.In the road sector, more than 1,499 km of National Highways had been constructed in Mizoram as of June 30, 2025. Key projects include the Aizawl Bypass Road, the Thenzawl-Sialsuk Road, and the Khankawn-Rongura Road, which are improving urban decongestion, airport access, and intra-state connectivity.The Chhimtuipui River Bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road is expected to provide all-weather connectivity in southern Mizoram. Under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, work is underway on 593 km of National Highway corridors with an approved cost of Rs 11,465 crore.Rail connectivity has also received a major boost with the dedication of the Bairabi-Sairang rail line, marking Aizawl’s first direct link to the Indian Railways network. The 51.38-km project, once fully completed, is expected to transform connectivity to the state capital. Sairang Railway Station is currently being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.Across the northeast, the annual average railway budget outlay has risen from Rs 2,122 crore during 2009-14 to Rs 10,440 crore in 2025-26. Since 2014, 1,824km of new railway tracks have been laid, along with 478 flyovers and under-bridges, while safety systems such as Kavach and passenger amenities including Wi-Fi, escalators, and lifts have been introduced.In the aviation sector, Lengpui Airport has been brought under the Krishi Udan Scheme to facilitate the transport of agricultural produce. Tourism infrastructure has received over Rs 158 crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for circuits in Thenzawl and the South Zone, along with Rs 44.89 crore under the PRASAD scheme. Mizoram has also been included in national tourism initiatives such as Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi, piloted in Aizawl. Apna Radio 90.0 FM, the country’s 500th community radio station, was inaugurated at IIMC Aizawl in July 2024.Energy and social infrastructure projects include a 30 TMTPA LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang, Aizawl, aimed at improving access to clean cooking fuel and generating employment. Educational infrastructure has been strengthened with new residential and model schools, including an Eklavya Model Residential School at Tlangnuam, while a Khelo India multipurpose indoor hall at Tuikual is set to promote youth and sports development.Mizoram has also benefited from flagship programmes such as UNNATI 2024, the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme, PM-DevINE, the Smart Cities Mission in Aizawl, and rural development initiatives under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication’s North Eastern Regional Campus at Aizawl is now operational.In the social sector, as of Jan 2026, Mizoram has recorded over 4.31 lakh Jan Dhan accounts, 5.94 lakh Ayushman Bharat cards, tap water connections to more than 1.33 lakh rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and coverage of over seven lakh beneficiaries under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, reflecting the expanding reach of central welfare schemes in the state.
