和若铁路串起南疆致富走廊

Core Viewpoint - The opening of the He-Ruo Railway, the world's first desert loop railway, marks a significant milestone in enhancing transportation and economic development in the southern Xinjiang region, facilitating better connectivity and logistics efficiency [1][4]. Transportation Improvement - The He-Ruo Railway has drastically reduced travel time, allowing passengers to travel from Qemai to Hotan in under 7 hours compared to 12 hours by bus [2]. - The railway connects Urumqi and Hotan, enabling travel across multiple regions within 22 hours, significantly improving accessibility for local residents [2]. - The introduction of tourist trains has attracted visitors to the southern Xinjiang area, with 70 tourist trains operating in the first ten months of the year, carrying 17,600 passengers [3]. Logistics Efficiency - The He-Ruo Railway has halved the transportation time for coal from Hotan to various provinces, reducing costs by nearly one-third [4]. - The railway serves as a vital corridor for goods, shortening the distance for southern Xinjiang products by 1,000 kilometers and lowering logistics costs by 40% for items like red dates and silicon [4]. - The variety of goods transported has expanded from over 10 types at the start to more than 100 types currently, enhancing the efficiency of freight operations [4]. Economic Development - The railway has stimulated rapid development of local industries, sending over 100,000 tons of local products and more than 500,000 tons of various goods since its opening [5]. - It acts as a "wealth corridor" for southern Xinjiang, contributing to both social and economic benefits for the region [5]. Environmental Protection - The He-Ruo Railway incorporates innovative measures to combat desertification, including the establishment of 50 million square meters of sand-fixing grass grids and planting over 12.96 million trees [6]. - A smart irrigation system has been implemented to manage water resources efficiently along the railway, ensuring the survival of planted vegetation in harsh desert conditions [6]. - Continuous efforts are made to maintain and replace vegetation, achieving an 85% survival rate for planted trees and shrubs [6].