Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects upgrading of Pinpat-Naungka-Taunggyi-Shwenyaung-Thazi-Myingyan railroad section

Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects upgrading of Pinpat-Naungka-Taunggyi-Shwenyaung-Thazi-Myingyan railroad section

NAY PYI TAW May 29

    Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC member U Khun San Lwin, Union ministers, the Shan State chief minister, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Eastern Command commander and officials, inspected the upgrading of Pinpat-Naungka-Taunggyi-Shwenyaung-Thazi-Myingyan railroad section this morning.

At the project briefing hall, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Aung Myaing reported on progress in the implementation of the guidance given by the Senior General during his inspection tour on March 3, preparations to run electric trains in the future, growing of trees along the railroad, construction of toe walls, embankments, water conduits and outlets and bridges, plans to grow trees along the railroad, construction of a bridge and platforms in yard of the Htithein Railway Station,a roundabout, laying of railway tracks in the yards of Ayethaya and Pawmu railway stations, implementation of the railroad section upgrading project and progress in work.

Next, the Senior General said rail transport is very beneficial for the region. As the railroads will be used for transport of both passengers and goods, systematical construction is necessary for durability. The bridges along the railroad should also be durable. It is learnt that in the past trains ran at a slower pace than expected along the Thazi-Shwenyaung railroad section. Now therefore, brake systems must be changed so that trains can run in the mountains at a regular speed and in a safe manner. For further upgrades of the railroads, road signs should be erected systematically.

It is necessary to establish forests on both sides of the railroads, it should be done systematically by drafting forestry laws. The greening of the railroads, railway passengers will attract railway passengers. Myanmar had the first railroad to operate in Southeast Asia. Thus, modern upgrading is required.

Trains also need to run at a higher speed. Improved speed and safe operation are necessary.

Plans are underway to operate electric trains, and electric locomotives are being built and tested. It is necessary to assemble locomotives and carriages with domestically produced parts. Railway engineers are urged to cooperate in the effort to upgrade the country’s railroads.

Gravel pieces laid in the rail tracks should be of a fixed size. There must be a target that all the railroads in Myanmar can be used for a train to run at a speed of 100 per kilometers.

Engineers need to consider trains running at a speed higher than that in future. Operation of trains is public transportation that can save fuel usage and facilitate transport of commuters and goods. And this is a public transport system beneficial for the State.

Then, the Senior General and party went round in the roundabout area including in the project near Htithein Railway Station. He then left necessary instructions and presented cash rewards for the project staff.

The railway roundabout is being construction in the same style of Shan State’s famous Bawa Thanthaya railroad. It will attract more railway passengers.