The upgrading process of Yangon-Taungoo railroad, which is a part of Yangon-Mandalay railroad, is expected to finish within a four-year time, according to Myanma Railways (MR).
The work to lay rail tracks and installation of signal system at Nyaunglaybin train station began on November 11, according to Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
The Phase 1 of the Yangon-Mandalay railroad will be divided into three parts: Yangon-Bago, Bago-Nyaunglaybin and Nyaunglaybin-Taungoo.
“The construction works of Bago-Nyaunglaybin and Nyaunglaybin-Taungoo railroads have started and pre-construction works such as storing machinery and constructing office building have also begun,” said Chief Engineer Min Chan Mon from the MR.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will assist a loan of US$2.7 billion for the five-year project starting from 2018 to 2023.
The Yangon-Mandalay railroad has 385.5 miles in length and the Phase 1 of the project, Yangon-Taungoo railroad, has 166 mile in length. It is expected to finish in 2022. Phase 2 of the project, 219-mile long Taungoo-Mandalay railroad, will start in 2019 and is expected to finish in 2023.
Local subcontractors will be granted projects to install signal system and some parts to play in upgrading the railroad. About 32,000 job opportunities will be created for locals.
Once this project is completed, trains can run up to 100 kilometer per hour and will run with air-conditioned rail carriages.
