Yangon-Kyaukpyu Union highway, a facility about which we have not dreamt

My happiness grew beyond expression on 17 April 2006—the day the Yangon-Kyaukpyu highway was put into commission. And since then, I had a wish to write an article about the highway.

I am a Rakhine and a native of Kyaukpyu. Despite having settled in Yangon I visit my native town once or twice a year. But the journey to Kyaukpyu was mainly by boat off the coast. The journey on the coastal waters took more time than travelling by road and heavy rains or storms were other setbacks. It was a journey I had to travel for certain reasons, but with much anxiety.

It was in 2000 that we began to hear the news on the construction of Yangon-Kyaukpyu highway. I knew that the terrain of Taungup and Maei, through which the highway passes, is formed with marshlands and tidal areas. Building of a road and bridges in the area seemed almost impossible then. Many people were doubtful about the highway project. As for me, I thought that it was beyond my dreams.

To the amazement of all, Yangon-Kyaukpyu highway did emerge. I didn’t know how to express my happiness for the commissioning into service of the highway of which I never dreamt. Rakhines have to thank Senior General Than Shwe a lot for the highway.

The Senior General’s idea was beyond others’ imagination, and he managed to materialize it. Thanks to his vision, plans and sincerity, the entire nation is witnessing development in all sectors as never before. What I am writing about in this article comes from the bottom of my heart.

The highway is ready to serve not only the Rakhines, but also the entire nation at any time of the year and under any weather condition. Nowadays, my journey to Kyaukpyu is along the highway that has a lot of bridges spanning many natural watercourses on it.

How did the highway emerge? How was it built? What difficulties were faced? Who were the builders? All were interesting questions for me. So I approached some of the persons who took part in building the highway to know the facts about the project. I also studied about the facility in the news report on its opening in the dailies.

The first highway that was launched in Rakhine State is the 535-mile long Yangon-An- Sittway highway. Not long after the opening of the facility, the construction of Yangon- Kyaukpyu highway began. The 20-mile long stretch of land between Kyaukpyu and Maei of the highway is a tidal area. But thanks to the geotextile technology the road could be built through the difficult terrain normally impossible for road and bridge construction.

The project started in 2000 with the survey to decide the axis for the Taungup-Maei section covered by phase I that was completed in 2005. Phase II covered the Maei-Kyaukpyu section.

Engineers of Public Works, Tatmadawmen and local people of Rakhine State had to make greater efforts for over four years to complete the 120-mile long Taungup-Kyaukpyu section of the highway. The work was tough for both the road builders and the bridge builders.

Over 20 miles of the 40-mile Maei-Sane section of the highway were mangrove forests, marshes and swamps. Various methods were applied to harden the foundation of the ground. It was the most difficult part of the project where geotextile method was used. The method covered groundwork, bamboo laying and formation of a two feet thick layer of a mixture of earth and rocks to harden the ground layer by layer. The method prevents land and road subsidence.

As the section ran through the coastal area where only tidal creeks flowed, freshwater supply became another problem. The Myakyun-taung Dam and ten ponds were built to store up to over 70 million gallons of fresh water that was also supplied to local people in addition to the project.

All the participants of the project that was implemented despite the many difficulties deserved honour. Before the advent of the highway, there were many people in Rakhine State who hadn’t been to other regions of the nation because of the mountain range dividing Rakhine State from the rest of Myanmar.

There were people who could not visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon due to poor transport. But now, the highway has enabled local people of the state to visit any other place they wish to at any time. The facility has brought so much joy to the Rakhine people.

The goodwill of the government and the state leaders has created new economic opportunities for locals, promoted health, education and social sectors and increased per capita income. It is axiomatic that both the Yangon- Sittway and Yangon- Kyaukpyu highways cannot be built with average goodwill and effort. Never in our dreams had we seen cars running on the road linking Yangon and Kyaukpyu via Yanbye. Thanks to the major roads An, Taungup and Gwa passes have become important gateways to Rakhine State. The Yangon- Kyaukpyu highway helps create farmlands on both sides and economic opportunities in Yanbye and its surrounding areas.

The Taungup- Kyaukpyu section of the highway includes 13 major bridges that are longer than 180 feet. They are Kyaingshe, Tanhlwe, Lamu, Maei, Kyaukkyee Pauk, Sane Pauk, Londaw Pauk, Deedok, Thanthamagyi, Thanthamashe, Thazintan Pauk, Wanfight and Minkyaung bridges.

Senior General Than Shwe graced the opening of the Yangon- Kyaukpyu highway held in conjunction with the launching of Minkyaung bridge. Cars are now running on the facility which is a Union highway helping promote trade and unity and amity of the national people.

The highway links Bago, Magway and Mandalay divisions through Taungup pass, and Ayeyawady and Yangon divisions from Gwa- Ngathaingchaung road. The highway is also connected with Nay Pyi Taw-Magway-Kyaukpyu road, Taungoo-Pyay- Kyaukpyu road, and Pathein-Kyaukpyu road. For over 300,000 people of 400 villages in Kyaukpyu and Yanbye townships on Yanbye Island, the highway serves as the main gateway.

Thanks to the 45- mile long Maei-An road, northern and southern Rakhine State can be linked through An-Maei- Taunggup road and An- Maei-Kyaukpyu road. A coastal highway emerges in the state.

The nation now has 19,020 miles of roads, up 5,386 miles from 13,635 miles in 1988. In addition, the Tatmadaw government has built 216 over 180- foot long bridges including seven on Ayeyawady River, two on Chindwin River, five on Thanlwin River, and one on Sittoung River.

The facilities including the one like the Yangon-Kyaukpyu highway are the fruits of the unprecedented progress. Yangon- Kyaukpyu Union highway have emerged for the socio-economic development of all the nationalities including Rakhine people.