Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador today proudly inaugurated the first section of the Tren Maya, a massive tourism project that promises to bring economic prosperity to the Yucatan Peninsula. However, while the government celebrates this milestone, critics express concern about the project’s environmental impact and exorbitant costs.
With a route of 1,554 km, the Mayan Train will cross the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo, including the famous tourist area of the Riviera Maya. Its construction began in 2018, just after López Obrador took office, and after five years of work, half of the planned route has been inaugurated.
The project, suffered several delays and changes in its initial budget of $150,000 million Mexican pesos, finally reaching a figure of $500,000 million pesos ($28,000 million dollars) in one of the largest investments in infrastructure in Mexico.
In technical terms, the Mayan Train will have an electrified fleet, with about half of its trains operating electric power and a hybrid system. To reduce carbon emissions, a fuel known as “green diesel” will be used, although its environmental impact is not without controversy. However, the project has been severely criticized by environmental groups and local communities, who fear the impact on the environment and their way of life. Environmental groups point out that the project is not enough to reduce carbon emissions.
The Mayan Train is considered a key project in the López Obrador government’s strategy to promote development in southeastern Mexico. Despite criticism and controversies, this mega-work is expected to have a positive impact on the economy and the lives of thousands of citizens in the region.