25 Jan
By Nyein Nyein
The timetable of the Yangon circular trains will change on account of renovation and upgrade work, according to region-7 of the Myanma Railways (MR).
The MR will inform commuters about the changes to the timetable soon.
Ahead of the upgrade work between Paywetseikkon and Pazundaung scheduled in the first week of February, officials from region-7 of MR and Shwetaung company and project engineers carried out a field inspection of the Pazundaung Railway Station, Tamway Station, and Yegu Station on 23 January.
The circular railway lines between Paywetseikkon and Pazundaung stations will also be renovated, according to region-7 of MR. Last October, the authorities had closed the road between Paywetseikkon and Yegu stations for upgrading the circular railway. That road will be opened in the first week of February.
Currently, the upgrade project is being implemented in two phases — east and west. MR has selected A-1 company to upgrade the western side of the project area, while Shwe Taung company will handle the upgrade of the eastern side.
Upon completion of the upgrade project, MR would be able to cut down travel time by one hour and handle thrice the number of commuters, said U Zaw Lwin, Manager of the MR. The Yangon circular railway spans 29.5 miles and it takes two hours and 50 minutes to complete one round. Circular trains carry about 80,000 commuters per day, according to official statistics of the MR. Trains have not been able to maintain arrival and departure times in the past 20 years. However, upon completion of the project, the circular trains are expected to arrive on time. (Translated by Hay Mar)
