By Asif Noor
Beijing, September 04, 2024 (TDI): – A delegation from BRI nations, consisting of representatives from media and think tanks, has visited China’s Chengdu Light Metro and light rail system facility, a unique project with train-to-train communication system.
The media delegation of BRI states was first brief on the project in Chengdu Metro line 30 Phase 1 Emergency Monitoring and Education & training Center, a venue covering 1300 square meter area.
The construction work on the project was started in 2005 and it was made operational within short span of time. The delegation was briefed as how busy is Chengdu metro system is now.
It having transported over 12.9 billion passengers. On the busiest days, it can transport over 8.08 million passengers. In July 2024, the average daily ridership was approximately 6.49 million, with a peak of 7.48 million.
Moreover, the punctuality rate is almost 100%, with the shortest interval between trains being just two minutes during peak hours.
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To date, Chengdu has approved the construction of 947 kilometers of track, of which 601.715 kilometers are currently operational, and another 302.37 kilometers are under construction, including lines connecting to Ziyang, Meishan, and Deyang.
It is expected that by 2025, the total length of metro and light rail lines in Chengdu will exceed 850 kilometers, possibly reaching 1,000 kilometers.
It is basically train-to-train communication system which is being controlled with the help of Artifical intelligence and no human is involved in driving.
The delegation also visited construction site of metro 30 that is being constructed by China Communications Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC), a company participating in many overseas projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, bringing Chinese railway and port construction to the world.
Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) last year held talks with China Railway to run a light rail transit (LRT) system in the capital. Though no agreement was yet finalized but Pakistani authorities are looking forward to assistance from China in this connection.
The delegation also visited Chengxiang, a town with historical sites, ancient culture and also modern development. The delegation was briefed on the historical importance of the town and infrastructure development by CCCC.
They were told about centuries old education institutions and steps for preservation of the old culture and buildings.
