Myanmar has launched the first phase of the Yangon-Mandalay railroad upgrading project in Nyaunglebin, Myanmar's Bago region, Xinhua reported quoting the Information Ministry.

The first phase of the project, which covers a 265- km section mostly lying in Bago region, was initiated in Nyaunglebin Sunday.

Upon completion, the travelling time between Yangon and Bago will only take an hour and between Bago and Mandalay only seven hours.