The Laos-China railway will be put into operation in December 2021, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Lattanamany Khounnyvong said on May 29.

Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Lattanamany, who is also head of the management board of the project, said the construction of the railway began in December 2016. Since then, 51 out of the total 75 tunnels on the route have been drilled.

Six Chinese contractors are carrying out the project.

Lattanamany said the Lao Party and Government consider railway the most efficient transportation for such a landlocked country as Laos thanks to inexpensive cost, safety, and less impact on the environment.

Therefore, the Lao Government has prioritised to developing the railway, regarding it as a key to transforming Laos from a landlocked country to a connectivity nation, he added.

Once operational, the railway will boost trade, investment, tourism, and generate jobs for locals, as well as improve their living standards and reduce poverty.

The 414,332km long railway has a total investment of 5.8 billion USD and runs from Vientiane to Laos-China border line with 75 tunnels and 167 bridges.

(Source: VNA)