China extends Qinghai-Tibet railway, world's highest rail link

CHINA has begun work to extend the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world's highest rail link, connecting Xigaze, the second largest city in the southwestern Tibet that borders India, Nepal and Bhutan and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas, the highest ranking Lama after Dalai Lama.

As the first extension of the Qinghai-Tibet that was open in July 2006, this 253-kilometre Lhasa-Xigaze line is estimated with a budget of CNY13.3 billion (US$1.95 billion) and expected to take four years to complete, reported Xinhua. It will pass through five counties as well as over the 90-kilometre long Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. After completion, it is capable of delivering 8.3 million tonnes of cargo annually.

This rail line is designed to offer services to the southwestern Tibetan regions, which now rely solely on roads for transport.

The railway will detour around nature reserves and drinking water sources to protect the fragile plateau environment.

Besides, Tibet is planning to build another railway to link Lhasa with Nyingchi, another city in southwestern Tibet autonomous region bordering the disputed Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, said the report.
(Source:www.schednet.com)