Myanmar Railways has invited bids to carry out upgradation works on the Yangon-Mandalay rail line. The construction is expected to begin in July 2018.
Bridges along the 620 km section will also be upgraded as part of the work. Further, modern technologies and equipment will be added to locomotives and cargo operations.
The line is divided into three sections – Yangon-Toungoo, Toungoo-Yamaethin, and Yamaethin-Mandalay – and separate companies will be awarded contracts to carry out works on the different sections.
Myanmar Railways is expected to borrow $2.49 billion) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to complete the upgrades. It will also purchase new locomotives and coaches with additional loans from Japan. Of its more than 400 locomotives, nearly 50 per cent are being used beyond their useful life.