At approximately 10 p.m. on October 10th, a large track maintenance machine convoy slowly started from Mengla Station on the China-Laos Railway. With the engine roaring, the tamping machine moved forward steadily. Simultaneously, 400 kilometers away at Phongsaly Station in Laos, two additional track maintenance machines began tamping operations, marking the beginning of comprehensive maintenance work across the entire China-Laos Railway. This effort aims to provide solid support for the safety and efficiency of passenger and freight transportation on the railway.
Stretching 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in Yunnan, China, to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the China-Laos Railway has been in operation since December 3, 2021. Since then, it has transported over 40 million passengers and 45 million tons of cargo, including more than 10 million tons of cross-border freight. The railway has become a vital "Golden Corridor," connecting regions, improving livelihoods, and boosting economic development.
However, the increasing volume of passengers and cargo, combined with the high-frequency operation of trains, has led to equipment wear and tear. Additionally, the hot and rainy climate in Laos has caused changes in track geometry, posing potential safety risks. To address these challenges and mitigate the safety risks caused by long-term heavy usage, railway authorities from both China and Laos have worked closely together to launch comprehensive maintenance work on the entire line.
On the Chinese section, five large track maintenance machines and over 50 specialized workers are conducting precise tamping and alignment work. Meanwhile, on the Laotian side, 24 experienced professionals and two high-precision tamping machines have been deployed for track maintenance operations.
The comprehensive maintenance project is scheduled to continue until the end of December. It is expected to complete tamping work on 136 turnouts and 112 kilometers of track on the Chinese section, while over 150 kilometers of track will be maintained on the Laotian section. This extensive maintenance will further improve the quality of equipment along the China-Laos Railway, ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the line.