Once it was considered impossible but Chinese engineer has made it successful. A rail to Tibet. Yes this is the first railway line to Tibet, before that there was only airway available to Tibet. The road was not upto the mark which was built in 1950. The line links the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, with the north-western province of Qinghai. This railway line is one of the world’s highest train routes. This pan-Himalayan line goes upto 5, 072m (16, 640ft) above sea level. China had been accused of not taking care of Tibet properly but this rail project will be taken as one of the prime step towards Tibet Development.
Back ground
The Tibet Autonomous Region, covering an area of 1.2 million square km and it was is the only provincial level region inaccessible by railway in China. Poor transport restricts economic and social development. Thus In November 2000, President of China issued an instruction of Building the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to develop communications and tourism. This will also promote economic and cultural inter-flows between China’s and Tibet. In December 2000, the State Planning Commission undertook an appraisal meeting in Beijing. In early February 2001 the State Council approved construction of the project out of total 4 proposals.
Highlights of the Project
This Railway line would from Golmud to Tibet appx 1, 120 km. It will cross 4 rivers and pass through many mountains and towns. About 930 km would have an elevation of over 4, 000 meters, with the highest point above 5, 000 meters. Total length of Bridges and tunnels would 30, 600+ meters. 550+ km of the railway would pass through the area featuring permafrost. Permafrost means any rock or soil material that has remained below 32° F (0°C) continuously for two or more years. An official price of the project is $ 3.2 billion.
Challenges in the Project:
• This project is one of the most complex and daring railways.
• The workers who built the line had to breathe bottled oxygen in order to cope with the high altitudes. But their words are - We lack oxygen, but we don’t lack the right stuff.
• There are more than seven main tunnels on the line, with the longest tunnel the 2 mile long Yangbajain tunnel to be built 4000m above sea level in Chilled atmosphere.
• Everyone has to pass a strict physical examination before being enrolled into the construction team. Thus it was difficult to find all such work force.
• Designing the railway coaches like airplane cabins with pressurized format to cope with oxygen problem in the journey.
• Global warming may become problem for Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China.
• Several Areas are Earth Quake pron, so the structure has to be upto the mark for the railway track.
• But with these difficulties they were having a great slogan: ’’Build the Qinghai-Tibet railway, create prosperity for people of all nationalities.’’
The Journey & its benefits
• It will take 48 hours but we can assure that it will be having some breath taking scenes.
• As electricity lines are not possible throughout the area, the train will run on Diesel.
• In case of any emergency during the journey, a special clinic has been made in train itself to facilitate the passengers.
• Train will be moving through mountains and glaciers, so to save the environment, there is a prohibition of throwing trash outside the train.
• Later on when China starts good train on the route, it will help Tibet in trading also.
• In 2003, Tibet saw just 8 lakh visitors, in 2005, Tibet saw a minor increase i.e. 10 Lakh. But with this train people of the world will get a chance to see an untouched part of the world which is called ’’Roof of the World - Tibet.’’
Thus, Lhasa listen a train whistle in first week of June 2006. Happy Journey to all passengers who will be traveling through this wonderful train.
Disclaimer: As MS has not allowed any specific topic for this wonderful train, I have to put this in this Category.