All aboard! Railway chiefs say that upgrades now being carried out could double the speed of the Yangon-Mandalay service.
The first phase of the US$2 million operation, covering the 267-kilometre stretch from Yangon to Taungoo, is scheduled for completion next March, said Myanmar Railways general manager for lower Myanmar Htun Aung Thin.
“It’s a popular route, with about 3,000 passengers a day, so this is a priority,” the Myanmar Times on Monday quoted him as saying. Work began in 2013.
“The project is being carried out with an official development assistance loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency [Jica]. The trip now takes 14 hours at an average speed of 40 kilometres an hour. On completion, that could reach as fast as 80kph, with a regular speed of 60kph,” said Htun Aung Thin.
Track improvement has got as far as Kyan Sitthar Road station, near Toe Kyaung Kalay station, in Ywar Thar Gyi, East Dagon township. Jica is also providing technical training for railway staff.
The project includes the provision of automatic signal lighting, using grant aid, and installing level crossing gate controls at the Kyan Sitthar Road station.
“Kyan Sitthar Road is situated between East Dagon township and South Dagon township. The population in East Dagon is increasing and car use is expanding. Improving safety at level crossings is covered by our funding,” said Htun Aung Thin.
On July 4, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to modernise Yangon’s 46-kilometre circular railway and committed to a $250 million soft loan.
The Japanese government, through Jica, will upgrade the infrastructure, including new trains and signalling. Myanmar Railways will be responsible for upgrading the track and tendering the existing 38 stations for redevelopment.