India's National Highways Authority (NHAI) has begun upgrading the 120-kilometer Kalewa-Yargi road in Myanmar's Sagaing region. Estimated to cost around $183 million (Rs 1,177), this road will connect to Tamu, Myanmar, which links to Moreh, India, through a 130-km stretch of road recently completed by India's Border Roads Organization.

These roads are part of the of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway, which runs from Moreh to Mae Sot, Thailand, passing through Myanmar. The remaining Yargi-Monywa-Mandalay-Mae Sot road will be completed by the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.

Mr. Raj Chakrabarty, Chief General Manager (Northeast), NHAI, Guwahati, estimates that the work will be completed in three years. Bids have been invited for the project, and ground work will commence after the rainy season. He emphasized that the highway will provide a vital link between India and Southeast Asia, and provide a bridge to Bangkok and Singapore, increasing the landlocked northeast region's connectivity.

The Government of Myanmar, represented by the Department of Highways, Ministry of Construction, committed full assistance to the NHAI for successful implementation of the project.

Related Link:

• India starts work on Trilateral Highway in Myanmar