Cabinet nod for building 69 bridges on trilateral highway in Myanmar

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet today approved the construction of 69 bridges including approach roads on a major road section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar at a cost of Rs 371 crore.

Government said the project will impart all weather usability to the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa road section which is also part of the route for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.

It will improve connectivity between India and Myanmar and facilitate movement of goods and traffic.

It was agreed in 2012 that India would construct 71 bridges in the Tamu - Kyigone - Kalewa (TKK) road section of the Trilateral Highway.

"The Government of Myanmar has started work on constructing two bridges, on its own, as these bridges needed urgent attention. As a result, construction of the balance 69 bridges will be undertaken under Government of India's assistance," an official release said.

The project will be implemented in Engineering Procuring and Construction (EPC) mode through Project Management Consultant (PMC).

It will be closely monitored by the Indian Embassy in Yangon, PMC and the Ministry of External Affairs. The project is envisaged to be completed by mid-2019, the government said.