Authorities in China have reportedly finalized the track-laying phase for the ambitious high-speed railway connecting the major hubs of Chongqing and Kunming. Spanning nearly 700 kilometers, the newly constructed transit corridor is supposedly designed to handle passenger trains operating at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, according to state-backed reports.

Citing coverage from CGTN, the final 500-meter-long pairs of steel rails were reportedly installed inside the Jiunian Tunnel situated near the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. This milestone marks a crucial step forward in preparing the complex transportation infrastructure for eventual commercial operation.

Industry projections allegedly indicate that the entire high-speed line is scheduled to enter full service by the first half of 2027. The route is intended to link Chongqingxi Station in Chongqing with Kunmingnan Station in Kunming, stretching across multiple administrative divisions including Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan.

Engineers reportedly had to overcome immense geological challenges while cutting through the rugged Wumeng Mountains. Consequently, an astonishing 87.4 percent of the entire alignment consists of bridges and tunnels, demanding extensive engineering efforts and notable financial resources.

Once fully operational, the travel time between Chongqing and Kunming is expected to drop significantly to approximately 2.5 hours. The corridor forms an integral part of the larger Beijing-Kunming railway blueprint, which is integrated into the broader national high-speed grid of China.

Source: kun.uz