Laos and China signed a feasibility-study agreement to establish a college for training personnel to work as ticket sellers, station operators and provide various passenger services for the upcoming Laos-China railway.
Graduates would have the opportunity to work on the railway, which is set for completion in 2021.
According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, recent work on the feasibility study places the college on 14.5 hectares near the National Sports Complex, about 16 km from the city centre.
Deputy Minister Associate Professor Dr Kongsy Sengmany said the railway would be a new experience for Laos, adding “Staff from the ministry’s Vocational and Technical Education Department went to China for a study tour to learn about railway operations.” He stressed the need for Chinese trainers.
Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy to Laos, Mr Wang Qihui said the Chinese government had prioritised the Laos-China railway, adding “China is ready to help Laos to train staff to provide passenger services.”
The Laos-China railway features a single 1.435-metre standard-gauge track and an electrified mixed-traffic line, which is being built to China’s GB Grade 1 standards, suitable for 160km/h passenger and 120km/h freight trains.
When the railway is operational, the journey from Boten in Luang Namtha province to Vientiane will be reduced from about three days by road to less than three hours by train.
Source: Vientiane Times
