RITES study on India-Myanmar rail link

New Delhi, Apr 26: A feasibility study, carried out by Rail India Technical&Economic Services (RITES) for the India-Myanmar rail link, is currently under bilateral consultation, the government said today.

The likely expenditure on the construction of new rail link between Jiribam-Moreh in India and Tamu-Kalay-Segyi in Myanmar is Rs. 4280 crore, Minister of State for Railways R. Velu told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

The study was carried out by RITES at the behest of the External Affairs Ministry.

Mr Velu said the link would provide substantial benefits to the bilateral trade between India and Myanmar.

''No specific timeframe has been set for these projects,'' he said.

India-Myanmar rail link will also be the first step for Delhi-Hanoi train connectivity.

In Myanmar, the study suggested construction of a new rail link between Tamu (Moreh)-Kalay-Segyi at a cost of Rs 1339.02 crore and rehabilitation of the existing line from Segyi to Chaungu Myohaung, involving an expenditure of Rs 283.959 crore.

The construction of the new rail route on the Indian side is to cost Rs 2941.08 crore.

UNI