Laos-China Railway Construction Faces Unique Challenges

4
4377
Laos-China Railway Faces Challenges

The Laos-China Railway construction project is progressing well but is not without its fair share of challenges, according to officials in charge of the project.

According to a report by Lao Youth Radio, many of the challenges faced by the project are due to a lack of understanding of regulations on the part of local people.

Director of the Laos-China Railway Project, Mr. Xiao Qianwen, says that some railway construction components, particularly rail bolts, have been stolen, while local people have constructed makeshift bridges across sections of the railway without permission.

“These basic issues could cause accidents or damage the railway in the future,” added Mr. Xiao Qian Wen.

According to reports, local people continue to raise cattle and goats along the railroad, allowing them to graze and wander onto the tracks.

Locals build makeshift bridges and graze cattle along the tracks.
Local people build makeshift bridges and allow animals to graze along the tracks.

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Law Committee, Mr. Saythong Keodouangdy, said when visiting the railway construction project last week that authorities will work hard to ensure local people respect the laws and regulations related to the project.

The Laos-China Railway project has been constructed under Chinese management and to Chinese technological standards. It is currently 88 percent complete and is scheduled to open in December 2021.

The Laos-China Railway will run some 414 kilometers, including 198km of tunnels, and will traverse 62km of bridges. It will run from the Boten border gate, connecting Northern Laos to China, down to Vientiane Capital, with an operating speed of 160km per hour.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I find it challenging that some people are so profoundly stupid. I find it disheartening I have to share my planet with them. There’s a reason this country is in the shape it is in. It should be wealthy but it’s full of Lao people.

  2. James, perhaps if you have such a poor attitude towards Lao people you should fuck off to a different part of your planet.
    Lao people are friendly, honest, welcoming and very hard working mostly for little money. Did you read about 414 km of railway, 198 in tunnels, 64km on bridges? Has your country built anything like that in the last 100 years? Do you want to share with us where you are from? The perfect country you have given up to be in Lao? You are lucky enough to be able to Fuck Off to another country, so go quickly. Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out.

    • I second Terry. Understand that most Lao people are not educated and cannot read and write. There are laso language barriers. Thus, they will not be able to read and understand the law/signs especailly those who live out in the countryside. It is not the people. It’s the fault of the government. I question when China-Lao build this Railway if they even create passages for the local Lao people to cross their livestocks without going over the rail. You cannot tell them to just cease doing what they and thier ancestors have been doing for centuries. That’s the only way they can feed their families. A country can only thrive and advance when the government does its job. I’ve been to Laos many times and I’ve seen what is wrong with the country and it’s not the fault of the people but the Lao government.