Cabinet nod for building 69 bridges on trilateral highway in Myanmar

The union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved construction of 69 bridges including approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the trilateral highway in Myanmar.

A cabinet communique said that construction of bridges, at a cost of Rs.371.58 crore, will result in all-weather usability to the TKK 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," the release said.

India had agreed to take up construction of 71 bridges in the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the trilateral highway at request of Myanmar in 2012. The Myanmar government started work on constructing two bridges, on its own, as these bridges needed urgent attention, and the remaining 69 bridges will be undertaken with the Indian government's assistance.

The project will be implemented in engineering procuring and construction (EPC) mode through project management consultant (PMC) and will be closely monitored by the Indian embassy in Yangon and the ministry of external affairs.

The project is envisaged to be completed by mid-2019.