Known as the “Silk Road of the Desert,” the Ge’ermu-Ku’erle Railway was fully operational on December 9, 2020, with a total length of 1206 kilometers, including a 499-kilometer section in Qinghai. Connecting the provinces of Qinghai and Xinjiang, it is a vital component of China’s northwest railway network and serves as the third railway gateway in and out of Xinjiang, following the Lanzhou-Urumqi High Speed Railway and Linhe-Hami Railway. The railway plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of goods and passenger transportation between southern Xinjiang and regions in Qinghai, the central and eastern parts of Xinjiang, and the southwestern regions. It serves as a significant corridor for the promoting economic and social development of the western region and the national energy security. Since the opening of the Ge’ermu-Ku’erle Railway, the transport of coal has been thriving, with freight volume experiencing rapid growth, and transport capacity approaching saturation.
Upon the completion of the capacity expansion and transformation project for the Qinghai section of the Ge’ermu-Ku’erle Railway, the overall capacity of the railway corridor will be significantly enhanced. The annual transport capacity will be increased from the current 16 million tons to over 33 million tons, effectively alleviating the tight transport capacity situation in and out of Xinjiang. This project holds paramount significance for the high-quality development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, ensuring the supply of national energy resources, and promoting high-quality economic and social development in the western region.
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