Junta-controlled Myanma Railways (MR) announced plans to resume services within 3 months on the railroad linking Monghnyin Township to the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina, which has been closed since 2021.

MR said work has begun to repair and reinforce dilapidated tracks and damaged bridges. The effort is part of a plan by junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing to showcase his priorities during his first 100 days in office.

As of April 21, repairs on the railway section between Monghnyin and Mogaung have been completed.

“Prices have gone up a lot since the trains stopped running. If the railway starts operating again, prices should come down. Reopening the line would be good news for local people. About 75 percent of businesses here rely on train transport,” a rail station staff in Monghnyin said.

Town residents have been waiting for the railway to reopen, and as the end of 2025 approaches, hopes for the resumption of train services have grown noticeably.

The Monghnyin–Myitkyina railway has a total of 33 stations and 318 bridges of various sizes. While the straight-line distance between the two towns is 110 miles, the railway spans a total length of 163 miles.

Following the coup, train operations on the route became difficult, and sections of the tracks were damaged by mine explosions during military clashes triggered by the conflict. As a result, services have been suspended for five years.