YANGON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has launched the first phase of Yangon-Mandalay railroad upgrading project in Nyaunglebin, Myanmar's Bago region, according to the Information Ministry Monday.

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 traveling time between Yangon and Bago will only take an hour and between Bago and Mandalay only seven hours.

Meanwhile, starting in February, Myanmar Railways has also kicked off a project of upgrading the Yangon circular railway.

That project aims to increase the numbers of passengers and reduce running and waiting hours.

Out of 2.5 million passengers using public transportation, about 90,000 people use railway transport in Yangon region every day.