Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Administration Council, has stressed the need to change Myanmar’s rail transportation system using electricity.
He made the remark during an inspection of the operations of the factories and workshops of Myanmar Railways in the Mahawagon Yard in Mingla Taungnyunt Township, Yangon Region, on October 7.
“Freight trains play an important role in the country's freight sector, and the transportation system has roads, waterways, and air transportation. By train, goods can be transported at a low cost, so it is the most beneficial transportation system. It is necessary to strengthen the durability of freight carriages. Meanwhile, locomotives need to be in good condition. Reducing transportation costs can directly contribute to the public's daily socio-economic well-being, as well as the importance of national development. That’s why rail transportation needs to improve,” the Senior General said.
Since trains have been used in the country for over a hundred years, Myanmar Railways has had a lot of experiences, he said. Based on those experiences, it needs to try to produce locomotives, carriages and rail tracks, he added.
Moreover, he called for the adoption of a modern railway transport system where electric locomotives need to be manufactured. He then stressed the need to make preparations to transform the rail transportation system using electricity.
Later, the SAC chairman arrived at the Mahlwagon railway carriage workshop and inspected 30 RBEs donated to the Myanmar Railways by West Corporation of Japan.
