The over-146-year rail transport service in Myanmar is a long-lasting rail service in Southeast Asia as well as the strategic service for Myanmar, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered an address on the role of rail service at the ceremony of commissioning the Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Naungkar junction-Pangpet railway into service held at the railway station in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, yesterday morning.
The Senior General and party on their arrival at Taunggyi station were warmly welcomed by local ethnic people.
The Senior General pointed out that the rail transport service, on which the basic strata people rely, is the most basic and important one for all.
At present, he continued that the Myanma Railways, the experienced service, transports a large number of passengers at lesser fare to the destinations as well as a large volume of commodities to relevant regions in railway networks in a short time with least charges, showing a strong point of Myanma Railways.
After taking the State responsibilities, he underscored that the current government is implementing the unfinished projects of previous government as well as new necessary projects for the people.
He unveiled that the 10.78-mile segment from Naungkar junction railway station to Pangpet near Hopong on the Taunggyi-Saikkhaung railway section has been successfully constructed.
The Senior General remarked that using the rail transport service with least environmental impacts can help sustainable conservation of environment in hilly areas as well as develop socioeconomic life of the people. As such, newly-opened Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Naungkar junction-Pangpet railway section brings a remarkable result to all, he added.
The Senior General highlighted that Taunggyi which is home to more than 400,000 ethnic nationalities is a capital of Shan State. Hence, he recognized the endeavours of all service personnel from Myanma Railways for successfully upgrading the railway section and new section to develop Shan State.
SAC member Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo presented a commemorative gift to mark the opening of Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Naungkar junction-Pangpet railway section to the Senior General.
The Council Joint Secretary, SAC member Deputy Prime Minister General Mya Tun Oo, Council members General Maung Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Nyo Saw and the Shan State Chief Minister cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new railway section.
The Senior General and party viewed the maiden trip of the train from Taunggyi railway station to Pangpet station and waved to local ethnic people who rode the train.
The Senior General, wife and party rode the train from Taunggyi to Pawmu stations together with local ethnic people and cordially waved to people along the route.
In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the 10.78-mile Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Naungkar junction-Pangpet railway section was extended from the Naungkar junction station to Pangpet on the Taunggyi-Saikkhaung railway. MR has carried out the Shwenyaung-Saikkhaung section to be smoothened and strengthened more with upgrade works to ensure the secure transport for passengers and commodities.
The Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Naungkar junction-Pangpet railway section comprises 129 small and large bridges and nine block stations. — MNA/TTA
