South Asian highway worth 1,400km on anvil

In a major fillip to highway building process in the regions of India, Thailand, and Myanmar are all set to announce a 1,400-kilometre long highway directly linking India to Southeast Asian regions by land for the first time, which in turn will result in a big booster to trade and economic activities, Indian Ambassador to Thailand, Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi said.

Adding that the project will also include rebuilding of 73 bridges in Myanmar, which were constructed more than seven decades ago during World War II, are getting renovated with funding from India to allow vehicles to use the highway stretch safe & secure. The highway could be opened to traffic from all 3 countries once the repair work is completed. The planned highway starts in the eastern region of India from Moreh to Myanmar's Tamu city. Hectic negotiations are currently underway to conclude a tri- nation motor vehicle agreement for the use of the road that will reach Thailand at Tak in the Mae Sot district, said official sources.