Digital Phablet

Tag: railway

  • UAE Passenger Rail Set to Connect Cities and Remote Areas by 2026

    UAE Passenger Rail Set to Connect Cities and Remote Areas by 2026

    The United Arab Emirates is set to inaugurate the first phase of its national passenger rail network in 2026, linking 11 cities and regions nationwide. This new rail system will connect key urban hubs such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah, while also expanding service to more isolated areas, especially within Abu Dhabi’s western Al Dhafra region and parts of Sharjah.

    In Al Dhafra, a sprawling desert and coastal region southwest of the capital, several new stations are planned. These include Al Sila’, located near the Saudi border about 450 km from Dubai; Al Dhanah and Al Mirfa, coastal towns approximately 370-400 km west of Dubai; Madinat Zayed, the administrative center of Al Dhafra roughly 235 km from Dubai; and Mezaira’a, situated near the Liwa Oasis on the edge of the Empty Quarter desert, about 340 km from Dubai.

    Within the Sharjah emirate, stations will be developed in Al Faya, an inland desert area around 150-180 km from Dubai, and Al Dhaid, an agricultural and oasis town roughly 140 km east of Dubai.

    Etihad Rail has highlighted that the trains will feature modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, and seating for up to 400 passengers per train — offering a faster, congestion-free alternative to road journeys. Officials also emphasize that the project aims to foster economic growth, promote domestic tourism, and enhance connectivity across the UAE’s emirates.

    This passenger network complements the UAE’s freight rail system, which has been operational since 2023.

  • Train strikes Chinese railway workers, 11 dead

    Train strikes Chinese railway workers, 11 dead

    A train was prepared at the station during the handover ceremony of the high-speed rail project connecting Kunming in southwestern China with Vientiane, Laos, on December 3, 2021. — Reuters

    A train traveling for seismic equipment testing collided with railway workers in Yunnan province, southwest China, resulting in 11 deaths, according to local railway authorities. The incident occurred early morning at Kunming’s Luoyang Town station when the train struck construction workers who had entered the track area. The Kunming Railway Bureau stated that the train was “passing normally through a curve inside the station” when the collision happened. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. By midday Thursday, transportation had resumed normal operations, and those injured had received medical care. Incidents of industrial accidents are relatively common in China, often attributed to loose safety standards and unclear regulations.

  • Modi Launches Key Railway Project in IIOJK

    Modi Launches Key Railway Project in IIOJK

    Indian Prime Minister’s Visit Marks Strategic Milestone in Kashmir

    SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his inaugural visit to Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Friday, following a recent conflict with Pakistan, to inaugurate a key railway line to the disputed area.

    During his visit, Modi announced a series of multi-billion-dollar development projects aimed at transforming the predominantly Muslim region, which has been a focal point of rivalry between India and Pakistan since both nations achieved independence from British colonial rule in 1947.

    The two nuclear-armed nations recently engaged in a four-day conflict, marking their most severe standoff since 1999, until a ceasefire was established on May 10.

    “This event symbolizes a significant celebration of India’s unity and determination,” Modi stated as he crossed the elevated bridge to officially open it for rail traffic. He referred to the Chenab Bridge—a structure that connects two mountains—as “a testament to the growth of India.”

    New Delhi claims that the Chenab Bridge is the “world’s highest railway arch bridge,” standing at 359 meters (1,117 feet) over a river. While other road and pipeline bridges may surpass this height, Guinness World Records has confirmed that Chenab holds the record for the highest railway bridge globally, overtaking China’s Najiehe Bridge.

    A Showcase of Connectivity

    Modi described the railway as “an extraordinary architectural achievement” that will enhance connectivity between the Indian plains and the rugged terrain of IIOJK.

    This railway, which includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, stretches 272 kilometers (169 miles) and links Udhampur with Srinagar and Baramulla. It is anticipated to reduce travel time between Katra, located in the predominantly Hindu Jammu region, and Srinagar, the main city in IIOJK, to approximately three hours.

    The new route will ease the transportation of people, goods, and military personnel, a task previously fraught with danger along treacherous mountain roads or reliant on air travel.

    However, the projects have faced opposition. About 150 people staged a protest on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Azir Ahmad Ghazali, who organized the rally, expressed that despite India’s infrastructural developments in the name of progress, the residents of Kashmir will not forgo their quest for freedom.

    “We want to clearly communicate to the Indian government that the people of Kashmir have never accepted India’s imposed rule,” Ghazali declared.