Centre speeds up 2800 km Kolkata-Bangkok trilateral highway

The Union government has expedited the construction of the Kolkata-Bangkok highway project, spanning a length of 2,800 kilometers. As part of the larger BIMSTEC project, this initiative aims to establish improved connectivity between prominent cities in Asia. A section of the highway in Thailand has already been completed, with the Tamu to Kalewa stretch in Myanmar estimated to cost around US$27.28 million.

Upon completion, the highway will connect the major cities of Bangkok and Kolkata via road, significantly enhancing the links between India and Thailand. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the trilateral highway project could be finalized within the next three to four years. The route will begin in Bangkok and pass through prominent cities like Sukhothai and Mae Sot in Thailand, followed by Yangon, Mandalay, Kalewa, and Tamu in Myanmar, before reaching India.

In India, the highway will traverse through Moreh, Kohima, Guwahati, Srirampur, and Siliguri before reaching its final destination, Kolkata, covering a total distance of over 2,800 kilometers. Notably, the longest stretch of the highway will be in India, while the smallest will be in Thailand. This ambitious project is set to bolster connectivity and foster greater regional cooperation in Asia.