The authorities will start upgrading the Yangon-Mandalay railway next year using a $500-million Japanese loan, the Ministry of Rail Transportation said.
Officials said the upgrading process has divided the railway into three sections – Yangon-Taungoo, Taungoo-Yamethin and Yamethin-Mandalay.
An environmental and social impact assessment survey has already been launched for the upgrading project, they said.
A Japanese survey team is expected to visit Myanmar to finalise the upgrading plan, local media reported.
The upgrading works will enable express trains to travel on the railway at 100 kilometres per hour, cutting the time needed to travel the Yangon-Mandalay route from current 15 hours to 8 hours.
The upgrading will include renovation of related facilities along the route.
