Sichuan-Tibet Railway: Why It Is Technically Challenging Yet Indispensable
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway requires an investment exceeding 300 billion yuan, and its construction difficulty surpasses that of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (one of China's four major engineering projects of the new century), and the Chengdu-Kunming Railway (considered a top engineering marvel).
Why is this railway so technically challenging, yet China insists on building it?
Major Challenges of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway starts in Chengdu, Sichuan, and ends in Lhasa, Tibet, spanning 1838 kilometers.
Currently, the Lhasa-Linzhi section and the Chengdu-Ya'an section are operational, while the Ya'an-Linzhi section is still under construction, which began in November 2020 with an estimated duration of 10-12 years and a total investment of about 319.8 billion yuan.
The main challenges are concentrated in the Ya'an-Linzhi section, which must traverse the majestic Hengduan Mountains.
This area is prone to geological disasters, including underground rivers, mudslides, rockbursts, and earthquakes.
Additionally, the north-south terrain, with significant elevation changes, results in frequent cold and warm air activities, causing heavy rainfall and snowfall, which complicates the construction of transportation facilities.
Building a railway here requires tunneling.
In the 1011-kilometer Ya'an-Linzhi section, 82% consists of tunnels. Ordinary tunnel boring machines (TBMs) cannot penetrate the hard rock here.
Is the Sichuan-Tibet Railway indispensable?
The answer is yes.
Firstly, this railway will greatly benefit the people of Tibet.
Due to natural and technical constraints, railway construction in Tibet started late. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, completed in 2006, ended Tibet's history of not having a railway.
Despite the subsequent opening of the Lhasa-Shigatse and Lhasa-Nyingchi railways, Tibet's railway network still has significant gaps and uneven distribution.
For example, transporting goods from Chengdu to Lhasa currently takes at least 13 hours. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will connect with the Qinghai-Tibet and Xinjiang-Tibet railways, significantly reducing transportation time and facilitating smoother goods transport, thus improving the lives of people in Tibet.
Secondly, this railway is crucial for national security.
Tibet, located on China's southwestern border, is a vital barrier for national security.
A good railway connection can ensure smooth transportation and material supply in border areas.
Finally, the Sichuan-Tibet Railway aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative.
Tibet borders India, Nepal, and Myanmar, making it an important gateway for China's interactions with South Asian countries.
According to the 14th Five-Year Plan, by 2035, the railway network will cover 74.3% of Tibet's county-level administrative regions, connecting 55 county-level administrative regions.
This will not only enhance connectivity between Northwest, Southwest, and Guanzhong regions but also strengthen ties between China's interior and its border areas, advancing the Belt and Road Initiative.
In-Depth Analysis: Technical Challenges and Solutions
The technical challenges of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway extend beyond geological and climatic conditions to include advanced engineering and management.
The 82% tunneling requirement in the Ya'an-Linzhi section necessitates the most advanced tunneling equipment and technology.
Regular TBMs cannot handle the hard rock and complex geological conditions here, requiring specially designed equipment.
Frequent earthquakes and rockbursts also demand the development of safer and more efficient construction methods.
To address mudslides and underground rivers, the engineering team must design a comprehensive drainage and reinforcement system to ensure the stability and safety of tunnels and railways.
The high altitude and extreme weather conditions of the Hengduan Mountains present severe challenges for construction personnel, necessitating measures to protect their health and safety.
Economic and Social Benefits
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway is not only a technical challenge but also offers significant economic and social benefits.
Upon completion, it will greatly shorten the distance between Tibet and the interior, promoting regional economic development.
The railway will significantly reduce logistics costs, allowing Tibet's agricultural and mineral resources to reach inland markets more quickly.
It will also facilitate the flow of industrial goods from inland to Tibet, promoting economic development and improving the living standards of Tibetan people.
Additionally, the railway will boost tourism along its route.
The Hengduan Mountains and Tibet have rich tourism resources, and the railway's operation will attract more tourists, driving the development of local service industries and related sectors, increasing employment opportunities, and promoting economic prosperity.
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development
Despite the numerous challenges in constructing the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, environmental protection and sustainable development are crucial considerations.
The engineering team must minimize environmental damage during design and construction, implementing various measures to protect the ecological environment along the route.
Tunnel construction can reduce surface vegetation damage, lowering the environmental impact of the project.
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