Trans-Asian rly planned

DHAKA, MAY 29: Experts from 10 countries yesterday reached consensus on the proposed route of the trans-Asian railway, a UN official said. The proposed 11,705-km railroad network will begin in China’s southern Yunnan province and pass through Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey and extend up to Bulgaria in Europe, with sub-routes connecting Nepal and Sri Lanka. The trans-Asian railway is a UN project aimed at developing land transport routes in Asia.

The rail link will cut down on distance and time for transportation of goods across Asia and to Europe. Currently, most trans-Asia and Asia-Europe trade is done through sea routes, which is time-consuming and cumbersome, trade officials say.