The Hindu (Madras): A Key Road To M

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Subject: The Hindu (Madras): A Key Road To Myanmar

Top priority to build key road to Myanmar
Date: 03-12-1998 :: Pg: 15 :: Col: d

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec. 2.

India is according high priority to building a key road in Myanmar to push
trade, promote people-to-people contacts and counter North-East insurgents.

In its reply to queries by members of the Standing Committee of Parliament
on the proposed Tamu-Kalemyo road, the Government has said that this road
had ``a strategic importance from India's security and commercial point of
view. It was in the national interest (that) the project should be
implemented with a high priority.''

The Tamu-Kalemyo road which is close to the Indo-Myanmar border has the
potential of linking India to the interior areas of Myanmar including its
capital Yangon. This access, once available could also establish a link
between India and Myanmar's northern neighbours in the Association of South
east Asian Nations (ASEAN)

According to the standing committee report on external affairs released
today, this road can connect National Highway 39 which ends at More in
Manipur to Tamu in Myanmar.

Kalemyo where the proposed corridor would end is a key junction in Myanmar.
It is situated on the main road network within Myanmar. It also has an
airport which is included in Myanmar's civil Aviation network.

Access to Kalemyo acquires additional importance on account of Myanmar's
future transport plans. The Government in Yangon envisages linking Kalemyo
to the country's rail network which passes through Mandalay and Yangon.

The construction of this highway has acquired additional urgency because the
contract may go to China if India does not move fast enough. China is ahead
of India in Myanmar's road construction business as it has already built
roads in the country's eastern parts. ``Road projects in the eastern borders
of Myanmar have already been launched with assistance from China. In the
areas close to India's border, it would be in our interest to ensure the
development of roads and communications in cooperation with India rather
than any other country,'' the Government has said.

The road, it is felt, would help India exercise greater control over
insurgency and illegal trade in the area. The report points out that the
road would enhance Myanmar's capacity to check the activities of Indian
insurgent groups who have been able to establish sanctuaries and transit
routes across the border.


Greater cooperation between India and Myanmar to counter cross- border
insurgents can begin early as the political bottlenecks which may otherwise
come in the way have already been cleared. India and Myanmar, the report
says have since 1993 institutionalised their dialogue for improved border
management, security and control of narcotics traffic.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has undertaken a preliminary survey and
prepared a technical report on this passage.





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