China plans bullet train to Kolkata via B’desh, Myanmar

China plans bullet train to Kolkata via B’desh, Myanmar

Chinese consul general in Kolkata, Ma Zhanwu, said on Wednesday that China is mooting a bullet train service between Kunming and Kolkata, through Myanmar and Bangladesh. A high speed rail link could be established between the two countries with joint efforts, said Mr Zhanwu.

Addressing a conference on connectivity and trade relations between China and India, Mr Zhanwu said, "We are looking forward to bullet trains from Kolkata to Kunming. The whole Asia will be connected".

"It will only take a few hours to reach Kolkata from Kunming if the rail link becomes a reality," he added.

"If the project becomes a reality, it will take only two hours to complete 2,000-km journey, compared with flights that take almost two hours and 30 minutes," Ma said at a conference.

"Most talked about is the bullet train from Kunming to Kolkata and from Kolkata to Kunming. Maybe in the coming decade, it will just take two hours from Kolkata via Dhaka and Myanmar to Kunming," he said.

Zhanwu added that that China has been striving for the revival of Silk Route to increase connectivity from Kunming to Kolkata.

Describing India as a rising economy, Zhanwu said China wants to maintain stable relations with its neighbors, specially India. He added that the rise of Indian economy is irreversible, despite the fall in the value or rupee.

The envoy also said that Chinese policies like the Belt and Road Initiative is mainly designed for extensive discussion and shared benefits with neighboring countries like India and "not to conquer them".

(Featured image:Dhaka Tribune)

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