China plans to build a second railway line to Tibet, connecting the Tibetan capital city Lhasa with the south-western city of Chengdu.

Plans for the new railway line is included in 13th five-year plan unveiled at the National People's Congress Parliament, state media agency Xinhua reported.            

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It would take approximately 15 hours to travel between Lhasa and Chengdu once this railway line is operational.   

"We hope that the railway will be completed as early as possible. It will provide new momentum for our development, especially the tourism," Wangdui, Mayor of Tibet's Nyingchi city, which is part of the proposed railway line told Xinhua.

After years of construction work, China opened the first railway line to Lhasa city in 2006 as part of its special initiative to kick start development in Tibet. The railway lines navigates through picturesque Tibetan highlands at altitudes as high as 5,000 metres above sea level.

Critics of the railway projects claim that it has lead to the influx of migrants from other Chinese cities into Tibet, threatening the indigenous cultural identity of the egion.                

Chinese authorities have downplayed such allegations of cultural disrespect, highlighting that the project has brought much needed development to the impoverished regions of Tibet.

Notwithstanding political tension owing to China's control over the region, Tibet holds strategic importance for Beijing as it shares border with India. India and China have a border dispute over three regions including Tibet.

Tibet also shares border with China's strategically important neighbors Nepal and Myanmar.         

TagsTibet, china, Tibet Railway