Government would not do anything detrimental to the State, said Win Khant, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, regarding the railroad project linking the China border and Mandalay by passing through Muse.

He made the remark during a press conference on the ministry’s activities in the fourth year of the government’s term held at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw on June 10. 

“When it comes to cross-border projects, our ministry is doing things step by step within our capacity after weighing on the effects and seeking official permission. I guarantee that we will never do a thing that can harm the State,” the permanent secretary said. 

Myanma Railways Managing Director Ba Myint said officials had been instructed to conduct a study as to whether the 431-kilometer railroad project linking Ruli East Railway Station and Mandalay could impact the environment and the public, adding that the government will deal with the national security issue in cooperation with all relevant organizations. 

“We will implement a project that is successful and yields benefits for us in the border trade of our country. Regarding the project, a company from Switzerland, the third party, has started providing assistance. We will scrutinize (the project). We will consider all things so that our country cannot be harmed. We will protect our interest,” said Ba Myint. 

The project was first to be implemented in 2010. It was however suspended due to unrealistic demands from China and possible losses to Myanmar. 

“The project was suspended as our country would make losses. But now, they (China) have offered to implement the project with low-interest loans. But we did not consider it carelessly. We have to consider a lot for the sake of the State,” he said. 

Myanma Railways and China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Company Limited signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 to conduct a feasibility study financed by China.