China proposes to build a high-speed railway line between Kunming in the southwest of the country and Kolkata (India), The Economic Times reports. The link would be part of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor aimed at boosting trade and relations.
The proposed 3,000 km rail corridor, starting from the capital city of Yunnan province and passing through Myanmar and Bangladesh, could be funded through China’s Silk Road development fund or the Asian Infrastructure fund.
“The proposal has been discussed with India and other countries. It will be beneficial for all of us as it will facilitate trade and people-to-people contact. We could fund the project through the Asian Infrastructure Bank and other agencies. Following the first edition of the BCIM Car Rally from Kolkata to Kunming in February-March 2013, another is planned in October to highlight the initiatives being taken by the four countries,” ,” Li Jiming, Vice Secretary General of Yunnan province, told ET.
The rail corridor will pass through Mandalay in Myanmar and the Bangladeshi cities of Chittagong and Dhaka before entering West Bengal and ending in Kolkata. The economic corridor project, along the old southern Silk Route, envisages the building of transport, energy and telecommunication networks.
Share on:
