2nd Pyithu Hluttaw 4th regular meeting day 13 commences

February 23, 2017

On the 13th day of the 2nd Pyithu Hluttaw 4th regular meeting, Union Minister for Construction U Win Khaing stressed the importance of compromising authority of certain parts of appointed land areas for road expansions by Hluttaw Representatives as only when certain ownership is known can the Road Department begin work. This was answered in response to a question posed by U Kyaw Min of Letpadan constituency: “Will the 7-mile Taungkyogone road connecting Letpadan and Minhla be rebuilt to a cement road under the Ministry of Construction?”

The Union minister further explained that the Taungkyogone-Tanarpo road connecting Bago District’s Letpadan and Minhla townships is under the authority of the Rural Development Department and length of the road being 6 miles, 4 furlongs in Letpadan Township and 8 miles, 2 furlongs in Minhla Township, a total of 14 miles, 6 furlongs. The Ministry of Construction requires authority over 100 feet of the road area under the Road Department to begin the project.

Dr. U Than Win from North Okkalapa constituency raised the question of, “Whether there is a plan to upgrade the main flyover for entering North Okkalapa to be as sturdy as the Parami flyover?” to which the Union Minster replied the original construction was performed by Myanma Railways back in 1976 and to upgrade the bridge requires approval from the national budget, however since the 2017-2018 fiscal year’s budget has been allotted to projects with high priorities and in need of ongoing funding, there is no plan for building a new or upgraded flyover yet.

U Moe Shwe from Putao constituency raised the question of, “Is there any plan to upgrade the 218-mile, state-owned Myitkyina-Sumprabum-Putao road so that vehicles of all sizes can drive through in all weather conditions, and how will the adverse boggy stretch of road between the 92/0 milestone to 161/0 milestone be handled?” to which the Union Minister first explained then replied respectively; the Myitkyina-Sumprabum-Putao road begins near Myitkyina 0/0 milestone and ends near Putao 218/0 milestone, is 218 miles long and under the authority of the Union Government; there is allotted regional budget to repair the boggy areas between milestone 87/0 to 100/4 and 144/6 to 152/4, by expanding the cliff walls to 6 miles, 5 furlong, 34 feet, paving an 18 mile concrete road and building concrete canals and walls to protect the road from debris and soil invasion.

As to the aforementioned adverse conditions between milestone 92/0 to 161/0, the Road Department is collaborating with Man Pyi Tagon Co. and Zinnis Toe Aung Co. to elevate the cliff walls in various sectors of the road, paving an 18 mile concrete road; the Road Department and Bridges Department are working together to construct bridges and roadways in necessary sectors; a tender calling 9 companies to work on improvements and construction of the roads and bridges; and by the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year 18 miles of concrete roads, 80 miles, 4 furlongs of coal tar roads, 47 miles, 6 furlongs of cobblestone roads, 81 miles, 6 furlongs of solid roads will be constructed; during the 2017-2018 fiscal year will be upgraded so as vehicles of all sizes can drive through the year round.

Union Minister U Win Khaing also replied to questions raised on road and building construction projects by U Aye Khaing from Dagon Myothit (North) constituency, U U Htun Maung from Ponnagyun constituency, U Tin Ko Ko Oo from Bilin constituency, U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo from Hlaing constituency and U Sai Ngong Saim Hein from Maukmai constituency.

Afterwards, U Thein Soe Aung from Pyinmana constituency proposed the Union Government to urge all Union Ministries, Regional and State Governments, Self-administered Zones to follow the contract system outlining protocols issued by the Ministry of Construction, to which U Kyaw Min Hlaing from Uttarathiri constituency vouched approval.

In conclusion Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Win Myint announced Hluttaw representatives wishing to discuss or approve the proposal in the Hluttaw to put down their names on a waiting list.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar