Plans on track, China rail link to stretch to near Sikkim border

PranabDhalSamanta : New Delhi,
Indian Express:Feb 14 2011, 03:31 hrs


China is set to extend its Tibet railway network into the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor. This was confirmed by a Chinese Railways Ministry map, put out last month, showing China’s “long term railway network plan”.

Until now, these plans were being loosely speculated upon, but they now have an official stamp on it. The latest map shows the railway line extending from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu.

According to the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong, on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

There are areas near Yadong which are still disputed between China and Bhutan. The area witnessed military conflict in 1962 as part of the Indian effort to defend Nathu La.

While construction on the line has not yet started, sources said, feasibility studies are already being conducted. This project is slated for completion by 2017, bringing the Tibet railway just 500 km short of the Siliguri corridor. This may raise demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

This project must be seen along with the hectic progress, further east, on a railway line connecting Kunming in China to Singapore. With the Thailand government throwing its weight behind the idea, work on this project is moving at a quick pace. Given that there already exists a trade route from the Indian border to Kunming, the understanding is that pressure will increase on India to link up with the Chinese railway network.

What is of more concern to India is that the improved technological ability in this sphere means Beijing will end up meeting its deadlines. In the last year, China added over 10,000 km of high speed railway, and in the past five years has built 70,000 km railway lines. India, on the other hand, has struggled to connect Bhutan to India by rail.

COMMENTS:

17 Comments |

Let's interpret this differently
By: The Peaceful | Wednesday , 23 Feb '11 1:32:01 AM Reply | Forward
The Indian Government is also building a rail link to Sikkim from Sevoke - Rangpo - Gangtok. A thaw in relations between India and China could link up the two lines - meaning a direct train between Delhi and Beijing!!!!

CrimeWatcher
By: Lewis Sooting | Monday , 14 Feb '11 15:11:39 PM Reply | Forward
If China is going full steam ahead to ensure their Railway network reaches the border of Sikkim, the situation needs to get the Govt. by the neck and make them see the two-ends possibility of the Chinese mindset. One it could enhance free cross-border trade between the world's two fastest growing economies which is good for our the both the country's large populations, but take the other view and it will wake the Indian Govt. from its corruption slumber. The Chinese railway could pose a grave danger for the quick deployment of their troops to our borders, what with the Arunachal border issue still spewing harmful remarks from across. India must not take the scenario as just an act of business enthusiasm from our neighbour.

Good opportunity for India!
By: Surendra Barsode | Monday , 14 Feb '11 13:41:50 PM Reply | Forward
Expanding Chinese network should be viewed as a good opportunity for extending trade and commerce amongst India,China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. India should match China for technology and project management expertise. We should forget the fear of Chinese and should not sulk if they do better than us. We need to meet Chinese head on and improve our internal governance and politics. China is not going to stop because we keep sulking and do nothing! China plans are really showing how badly we are managing our country and our complete lack of strategic vision. May Chinese projects like this one help us to open our eyes and realise our true potential!!

Chinese Rail link.
By: Kautiliya | Monday , 14 Feb '11 12:37:03 PM Reply | Forward
Indian politicians, the Indian Armed Forces and the whole Indian judiciary including the police and the the members of the Indian Law Society have lost out confidence to run India. The Government and the Armed forces,Judiciary,Police and the Indian Law Cociety is full of the corrupt people and criminals in all levels of the government. The people of India should look west towards Egypt appears to be the only route. The issue of proposed Chinese rail link,Indians MUST start building their own rail roads military and civilian airports and let the armed forces be stationed in that area. The common Bhaiyas better wake up and tell them enough is enough and kick them all out.
Agree
By: Dheerankur | Thursday , 10 Mar '11 10:43:44 AM Reply | Forward
I totally agree with your views.


China rail to Sikkim
By: nav | Monday , 14 Feb '11 11:30:17 AM Reply | Forward
China has been continuing hostility and can attack India in a few years.Arunachal Pradesh can be occupied .India has to decide NOW(already vey late)how it will protect Indian's and its sovereignity

China border development.
By: mskhimani | Monday , 14 Feb '11 10:53:46 AM Reply | Forward
China need not do anything to defeat india.Our airforce is busy crashing two aircrafts per month.our naval warships get sunked by merchant vessels and our army commanders are busy making money buying sub standard equipment.

China border development.
By: mskhimani | Monday , 14 Feb '11 10:49:31 AM Reply | Forward
China need not do anything to defeat india.Our airforce is busy crashing two aircrafts per month,our navy warships get knocked out by merchant vessels and our army commanders are busy making money buyinf sub standard equipment.

China: Dreams unlimited
By: Urvashi Thakkar | Monday , 14 Feb '11 13:03:20 PM Reply | Forward
China is doing good work but it also not free from corruption.Media is controlled.Vast majority of Chinese live pity life.First get ur facts correct.Liberalization started in 1979 even then it has only Beijing&Shanghai that is developed whereas Hong kong was developed by British and handed over to China somewhere in 1998.Ghanta development kiya.India ko criticize karna band karo....


shame on congress, they have waster 7 years now and 50 years earlier !
By: Anand | Monday , 14 Feb '11 10:47:59 AM Reply | Forward
only the BJP can give development as far roads and railways are concerned, this congress fellows just know how to increase corruption and inflation. i wish they would take some more money and then leave us so that we can improve ourselves !!

BJP vs Congress
By: Urvashi Thakkar | Monday , 14 Feb '11 13:00:01 PM Reply | Forward
Ya BJP track record in Karnataka is for all to see.If BJP was so good why it lost election in 2004 when they said India shining.People have short memories. Narendra Modi is doing ood in Gujarat otherwise wahan bhi BJP ka band baj jaye...learn from Modi.

Wake up
By: Nepali | Tuesday , 15 Feb '11 13:34:40 PM Reply | Forward
China in ten times developed than India, Chinese slums are better than Indian cities. Any person who are visited China can see that


Chinese have a vision.
By: Avinash Baranwal | Monday , 14 Feb '11 10:32:26 AM Reply | Forward
What is the issue? China is doing what it must...Instead of making useless noises, we should develope our own capabilities be it military or economic. We must understand and realise, chinese leadership have vision and they are practical people...Indian leadership is still not able to mature and they are still busy filling their coffers with illegal money. Indian officialdom's efficiency can be known with simple Arushi case murder where they keep on changing statements. Nationalism is at back bench with youngesters celebrating valentines day today and hardly any one remembers Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev who were hanged today. Are not we doomed?

Consultant
By: E K KADIDDLEHOPPER | Monday , 14 Feb '11 10:24:50 AM Reply | Forward
We would certainly hope that pressure is placed on India to connect to the Chinese Railway System. There is NO logical reason to delay the inevitable! India should work with China to immediately construct rail lines connecting the two countries through Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh/Myanmar. Rail is the most economical, safe, efficient, and least polluting mode of transport known to man to move both goods and people. These trade and travel rail routes need to be built quickly to permit additional employment for the added trade and tourism. Another crucial rail route that needs prompt attention is a route from India through Myanmar to Bangkok to connect with routes to Singapore in the south, Cambodia and Vietnam in the east, and Laos and China in the north. Let's abolish suspicion and mistrust and get moving with the construction! India ought to be able to construct railways as easily and as quickly as China!!