China plans to extend Tibet railway line to India, Nepal borders by 2020

[Edison Chen]

China plans to extend a railway line linking Tibet with the rest of the country to the borders of India, Nepal and Bhutan by 2020 once an extension to a key site in Tibetan Buddhism opens, a state-run newspaper reported on Thursday.

China opened the railway to Tibet’s capital Lhasa in 2006, which passes spectacular icy peaks on the Tibetan highlands, touching altitudes as high as 5,000 metres above sea level, as part of government efforts to boost development.

Critics of the railway, including exiled Tibetans and rights groups, say it has spurred an influx of long-term migrants who threaten Tibetans’ cultural integrity, which rests on Buddhist beliefs and a traditional herding lifestyle.

The Global Times, published by the Communist Party’s official organ, thePeople’s Daily, said that an extension to Shigatse, the traditional seat of Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest figure, the Panchen Lama, would formally open next month.

That link is scheduled for its own extension during the 2016-2020 period to two separate points, one on the border of Nepal and the other on the border with India and Bhutan, the newspaper cited Yang Yulin, deputy head of Tibet’s railways, as saying, without providing details.

China has long mooted this plan, but the difficulty and expense of building in such a rugged, remote and inhospitable region has slowed efforts.

Tibet is a highly sensitive region, not just because of continued Tibetan opposition to control from Beijing, but because of its strategic position next to India, Nepal and Myanmar.

The Chinese announcement coincides with a drive by India, under its new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to consolidate its influence with its smaller neighbours.

Modi’s foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj, heads to Nepal on Friday with a proposed pact to help develop the Himalayan country’s hydro-electric power potential high on his agenda.

Modi, who made his first foreign trip as prime minister to Bhutan, is to visit Nepal next month. But Nepal’s opposition Maoists are uneasy about the hydro-electric plan and say it could lock out China to the benefit of Indian companies.

India and China fought a brief border war in 1962 over the region at the eastern end of the Himalayas. The nuclear-armed neighbours signed a pact in October to ensure that differences on their shared border do not spark any further confrontation.

India and China have competing claims over what India calls Arunachal Pradesh, a state that has been administered by India for decades and what China calls South Tibet.

China’s Communist army occupied Tibet in 1950. Nine years later, Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled to India after a failed uprising.

China plans railway to India, Nepal borders by 2020| Reuters

Didn't notice the last two paragraph, anyway, already posted...

 

[dlclong]

 

[SrNair]

This development is ok if it is only for trade exchanges.
Otherwise let see.

 

[cirr]

Construction of Qinghai-Tibet Railway‘s eastward spur to Nyingchi is also likely to start late this year，according to local officials。

 

[Sam.]

Lots of research need to be done on this by civilians.

 

[A1Kaid]

China has to make sure this railway line is kept secure from regional threats.

 

[areal]

there is no threat from any sense for this railway, however, it is not necessary to extend this way to India, as it doesn't need it.

 

[OrionHunter]

It would be a good idea to extend this railway line to connect it with Indian railway system especially for trade.

I wonder what are the Chinese railway track gauges being used in Tibet? Our track gauges:

• 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge (BG), which is also called Indian gauge,
• 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) Metre Gauge (MG),
• 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) Narrow Gauge (NG)

Though the main Chinese track gauge is 4 ft 81⁄2 in, High-speed 4 ft 81⁄2 in and Standard gauge 3 ft 33⁄8 in, I have no idea what they have in Tibet.

Track compatibility would therefore be a big problem.

 

[StormShadow]

I can see the differences slowly being put on the back burner and co-operation being given high preference.

 

[areal]

there is no threat from any sense for this railway, however, it is not necessary to extend this way to India, as it doesn't need it.

 

[Echo_419]

Construction of Qinghai-Tibet Railway‘s eastward spur to Nyingchi is also likely to start late this year，according to local officials。

A railways Connection to India will help boost the Trade btw 2 great nations,also not to forget it will also help to develop our border areas.Possibilities are endless

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

A railways Connection to India will help boost the Trade btw 2 great nations,also not to forget it will also help to develop our border areas.Possibilities are endless

Indeed the railway connection between China and India will definitely boost both side economy in the region, but I think India gorvernment is still reluctant for such idea maybe for security reasons, China will have to start the connectivity with Nepal first despite the fact that India has greater economy potential than Nepal.

 

[Echo_419]

Indeed the railway connection between China and India will definitely boost both side economy in the region, but I think India gorvernment is still reluctant for such idea maybe for security reasons, China will have to start the connectivity with Nepal first despite the fact that India has greater economy potential than Nepal.

By the time you reach Nepal which is 2020 our side will get it's act together & finish the work on our side,becuz we also know own a Kick-*** govt.Security concerns are a thing of past now a new era of Cooperation awaits India & China

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

enjoy

 

[cirr]

Lhasa-Chengdu railway starts construction soon

Lhasa-Chengdu railway will be built by sections.

Lhasa-Nyingchi railway construction to start in September

Lhasa-Nyingchi railway: 433km

Chengdu-Ya'an railway gets approved

Chengdu-Ya'an railway: 160kmph, double-line, 3.5 years to build

credit：bigdog