Visiting LAMP (Nay Pyi Taw): President visited LAMP (Nay Pyi Taw)

The President U Min Aung Hlaing of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, visited the Locomotive Assembly and Manufacturing Plant (Nay Pyi Taw) under the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Myanmar Railways, Ministry of Transport, located in Pobbathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, Thursday morning.

The President inspected the progress made to develop railway transport services and provided necessary guidance. At the plant's meeting hall, the President discussed the development of railway transport services. He noted that railway transport in Myanmar began with the opening of the Yangon-Pyay line in 1877, making it the earliest railway system in Southeast Asia, and that Myanmar was also among the earliest to use diesel locomotives.

He observed that the Myanmar Railways enterprise will reach its 150th anniversary in 2027, and that a railway system nearly 150 years old should be more developed than it currently is. The President stressed the need to upgrade railway tracks systematically, along with station platforms, level crossings, bridges, and all other potential areas, based on study and calculation.

He noted that current global political changes have led to fuel shortages. During such challenging times, public transportation must be improved. To increase public reliance on the railway system, continuous upgrades are necessary. Priority should be given to upgrading and repairing the Yangon-Mandalay, Yangon-Mawlamyine, and Yangon-Pyay railway lines.

He mentioned that Battery Electric Locomotives (BEL) and Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMU) are currently being constructed, and that such work must be carried out systematically etc. Afterwards, the President and officials viewed a video clip documenting the development of railway transport services.

Union Minister for the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, U Myat Tun Oo along with responsible officials from Myanmar Railways, then briefed the President on the history of Myanmar Railways, currently operating rail lines and passenger and freight trains, and ongoing implementation projects.

The President provided guidance on requirements and then toured the construction progress of Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMU), new Battery Electric Locomotives (BEL), and battery packs within the Locomotive Assembly and Manufacturing Plant (Nay Pyi Taw). Based on officials' presentations, the President directed that BEMUs be pursued not only for Yangon circular and short-distance routes but also for use on long-distance routes, along with other necessary guidance, it’s learnt.