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Last edited January 4, 2022
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| demographics_type1              =  
| demographics_type1              =  
| demographics1_title1            = Official
| demographics1_title1            = Official
| demographics1_info1            = [[Kuki, Meitei, English   language|Meitei]]
| demographics1_info1            = [[Kuki, Meitei, English language|Meitei]]
| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                    = +5:30
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'''Moreh''' is a [[border town]] located on the [[India–Myanmar border]] in [[Tengnoupal district]] of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Manipur]].<ref>[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-border-town-called-moreh/980805/ A border town called moreh], Indian Express.</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-trade-along-moreh-in-manipur-comes-to-standstill/article5705105.ece | title=Border trade along Moreh in Manipur comes to standstill | date=19 February 2014 | first=Iboyaima | last=Laithangbam | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=3 December 2018 }}</ref>
'''Moreh''' is a [[border town]] located on the [[India–Myanmar border]] in [[Tengnoupal district]] of the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Manipur]].<ref>[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-border-town-called-moreh/980805/ A border town called moreh], Indian Express.</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-trade-along-moreh-in-manipur-comes-to-standstill/article5705105.ece | title=Border trade along Moreh in Manipur comes to standstill | date=19 February 2014 | first=Iboyaima | last=Laithangbam | newspaper=The Hindu | accessdate=3 December 2018 }}</ref>


Moreh, as a rapidly developing trade point with an integrated customs and immigration checkpoint, plays a very important role in India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look East Policy]],<ref name=railne1/> trade and commerce under [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]],<ref name=as1/> [[India–Myanmar relations|India-Myanmar relationship]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170912/jsp/northeast/story_172402.jsp#.WbdZelc-h3g.twitter|title=Vigil up in Manipur over influx}}</ref> [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway|India–Myanmar–Thailand road connectivity]],<ref name="Tripoto"/> and [[Trans-Asian Railway]] connectivity.<ref name=tra1/><ref name=railne1/>
Moreh, as a rapidly developing trade point with an integrated customs and immigration checkpoint, plays a very important role in India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look East Policy]],<ref name=railne1/> trade and commerce under [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]],<ref name=as1/> [[India–Myanmar relations|India-Myanmar relationship]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170912/jsp/northeast/story_172402.jsp#.WbdZelc-h3g.twitter|title=Vigil up in Manipur over influx}}</ref> [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway|India–Myanmar–Thailand road connectivity]],<ref name="Tripoto"/> and [[Trans-Asian Railway]] connectivity.<ref name=railne1/><ref name=tra1/>


[[Tamu, Myanmar|Tamu]] in Myanmar, just across the Menal river from Moreh, is connected to Moreh via 2 road bridges: ''The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge'' and a newer ''Moreh ICP Bridge'' which connects the ''Moreh Integrated Check Post'' (Moreh ICP).<ref name=con1>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/will-checkpost-at-india-myanmar-border-boost-organised-trade/article29397430.ece Will checkpost at India-Myanmar border boost organised trade], The Hindu, September 12, 2019.</ref> Tamu in Myanmar connects Moreh in India to [[Kalewa]]-[[Chaung-U Township#Yar Kyi|Yagyi]]-[[Mandalay]] in Myanmar and [[Mae Sot]] in [[Thailand]] through the [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]].<ref name="Tripoto"/>
[[Tamu, Myanmar|Tamu]] in Myanmar, just across the Menal river from Moreh, is connected to Moreh via 2 road bridges: ''The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge'' and a newer ''Moreh ICP Bridge'' which connects the ''Moreh Integrated Check Post'' (Moreh ICP).<ref name=con1>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/will-checkpost-at-india-myanmar-border-boost-organised-trade/article29397430.ece Will checkpost at India-Myanmar border boost organised trade], The Hindu, September 12, 2019.</ref> Tamu in Myanmar connects Moreh in India to [[Kalewa]]-[[Chaung-U Township#Yar Kyi|Yagyi]]-[[Mandalay]] in Myanmar and [[Mae Sot]] in [[Thailand]] through the [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]].<ref name="Tripoto"/>
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== Economy ==
== Economy ==


Being a border trade and transit town, Moreh plays a key role in the development of the economy of the state with border haat as well as international trade. A significant portion of the economy of Moreh depends on smuggling, including illegal [[teak]] smuggled from Myanmar.<ref> {{YouTube|zK95gclGGCM|title=Inside India’s Smuggling Town}}</ref>
Being a border trade and transit town, Moreh plays a key role in the development of the economy of the state with border haat as well as international trade. A significant portion of the economy of Moreh depends on smuggling, including illegal [[teak]] smuggled from Myanmar.<ref>{{YouTube|zK95gclGGCM|title=Inside India’s Smuggling Town}}</ref>


=== Border haat ===
=== Border haat ===
{{see also | India-Bangladesh Border Haat }}
{{see also | India-Bangladesh Border Haat }}


Moreh has the local [[Borders_of_India#Hat|Border Haat trade]], under the India-Myanmar Barter Trade mechanism, in which over 40 tradable items are listed. Major exports include cement, engineering goods, transport equipment, motor cycles, iron and steels, medicine, chemicals and allied products, cotton yarn, etc. The major items now imported from Myanmar through barter mechanism are betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney beans (Rajma), kuth roots, gram, resin, dry ginger, etc.
Moreh has the local [[Borders of India#Hat|Border Haat trade]], under the India-Myanmar Barter Trade mechanism, in which over 40 tradable items are listed. Major exports include cement, engineering goods, transport equipment, motor cycles, iron and steels, medicine, chemicals and allied products, cotton yarn, etc. The major items now imported from Myanmar through barter mechanism are betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney beans (Rajma), kuth roots, gram, resin, dry ginger, etc.


=== International trade ===
=== International trade ===
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===Airport ===
===Airport ===


[[Imphal Airport]] (110 km northwest of Moreh) is the nearest airport in India. [[Homalin Airport]] (120 km north) and [[Kalaymyo Airport]] (133 km south) are the nearest airport in Myanmar.<ref>[http://www.gomapper.com/travel/what-is-the-closest-airport-to/moreh.html What is the closest airport to Moreh], gomapper.com, accessed 14 Sept 2021.</ref>
[[Imphal Airport]] (110&nbsp;km northwest of Moreh) is the nearest airport in India. [[Homalin Airport]] (120&nbsp;km north) and [[Kalaymyo Airport]] (133&nbsp;km south) are the nearest airport in Myanmar.<ref>[http://www.gomapper.com/travel/what-is-the-closest-airport-to/moreh.html What is the closest airport to Moreh], gomapper.com, accessed 14 Sept 2021.</ref>


[[File:Nitin Gadkari briefing the media on the Cabinet approval for upgradation and widening of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur & other projects, in New Delhi (1).jpg|thumb|Media briefing in New Delhi on Imphal-Moreh [[National Highway 102 (India)|NH-102]] upgrade, 2017.]]
[[File:Nitin Gadkari briefing the media on the Cabinet approval for upgradation and widening of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur & other projects, in New Delhi (1).jpg|thumb|Media briefing in New Delhi on Imphal-Moreh [[National Highway 102 (India)|NH-102]] upgrade, 2017.]]
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{{see also | Asian Highway Network | India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway }}
{{see also | Asian Highway Network | India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway }}


Moreh is on the [[AH1#India_North-East|Asian Highway 1]] (AH1),<ref name=ah1>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/new-road-rail-links-to-make-manipur-gateway-to-se-asia-cm/article25441980.ece New road, rail links to make Manipur gateway to SE Asia: CM], The Hindu, November 08, 2018.</ref> which is the longest route of the [[Asian Highway Network]], running 20,557 km (12,774 mi) from Tokyo, Japan via Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to the border between Turkey and Bulgaria west of Istanbul where it joins end-on with European route E80, running all the way to Lisbon, Portugal.
Moreh is on the [[AH1#India North-East|Asian Highway 1]] (AH1),<ref name=ah1>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/new-road-rail-links-to-make-manipur-gateway-to-se-asia-cm/article25441980.ece New road, rail links to make Manipur gateway to SE Asia: CM], The Hindu, November 08, 2018.</ref> which is the longest route of the [[Asian Highway Network]], running 20,557&nbsp;km (12,774&nbsp;mi) from Tokyo, Japan via Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to the border between Turkey and Bulgaria west of Istanbul where it joins end-on with European route E80, running all the way to Lisbon, Portugal.


[[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]], {{convert|1408|km|mi|abbr=on}} long section of AH1, connects [[Imphal]]-Moreh in India with [[Mae Sot]] in Thailand via [[Mandalay]]-[[Kalewa]]-[[Chaung-U Township#Yar Kyi|Yagyi]] in [[Myanmar]].<ref name="Tripoto">{{cite web | title=All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality | website=Tripoto | url=https://www.tripoto.com/trip/india-delhi-to-thailand-bangkok-by-road | date=11 September 2015 | access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> It will boost India's trade and commerce with [[ASEAN]] under [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]].<ref name=as1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/highway-pact-after-car-rally/cid/1417019|title=Highway pact after car rally|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand|url=http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-road-project-hooks-1-8-billion-baht-from-thailand.html|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=12 February 2017|date=2 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=riverport1>[http://www.mizzima.com/business-domestic/myanmar-looks-catalyse-river-transport-growth-driver Myanmar to develop river ports], 2017.</ref><ref name=la1>[http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/government-asean-in-talks-to-take-imt-highway-up-to-vietnam/970887/ Asean in talks to take IMT highway up to Vietnam], 12 Dec 2017.</ref> Imphal-Moreh route Its upgrade was already complete by 2017, however it is further being upgraded to Asian Highway Standard in 3 packages, one of which was complete and remaining 2 will be completed by 2023 as per November 2020 status update.<ref name=up1>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/the-trilateral-highway-from-india-to-thailand-that-went-on-the-slow-lane-120111800523_1.html The Trilateral Highway from India to Thailand that went on the slow lane
[[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]], {{convert|1408|km|mi|abbr=on}} long section of AH1, connects [[Imphal]]-Moreh in India with [[Mae Sot]] in Thailand via [[Mandalay]]-[[Kalewa]]-[[Chaung-U Township#Yar Kyi|Yagyi]] in [[Myanmar]].<ref name="Tripoto">{{cite web | title=All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality | website=Tripoto | url=https://www.tripoto.com/trip/india-delhi-to-thailand-bangkok-by-road | date=11 September 2015 | access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> It will boost India's trade and commerce with [[ASEAN]] under [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]].<ref name=as1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/highway-pact-after-car-rally/cid/1417019|title=Highway pact after car rally|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand|url=http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-road-project-hooks-1-8-billion-baht-from-thailand.html|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=12 February 2017|date=2 February 2017}}</ref><ref name=riverport1>[http://www.mizzima.com/business-domestic/myanmar-looks-catalyse-river-transport-growth-driver Myanmar to develop river ports], 2017.</ref><ref name=la1>[http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/government-asean-in-talks-to-take-imt-highway-up-to-vietnam/970887/ Asean in talks to take IMT highway up to Vietnam], 12 Dec 2017.</ref> Imphal-Moreh route Its upgrade was already complete by 2017, however it is further being upgraded to Asian Highway Standard in 3 packages, one of which was complete and remaining 2 will be completed by 2023 as per November 2020 status update.<ref name=up1>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/the-trilateral-highway-from-india-to-thailand-that-went-on-the-slow-lane-120111800523_1.html The Trilateral Highway from India to Thailand that went on the slow lane The highway's Imphal-Moreh portion on the Indian side, however, is expected to be completed only by 2023, more than two decades after it was conceptualised Topics], Business Standard, November 18, 2020.</ref> In November 2020, Bangladesh expressed interest to join this Highway.<ref name=up3>Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bangladesh-wants-to-join-imt-highway/articleshow/79802686.cms?from=mdr “Bangladesh wants to join India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) trilateral highway”], The Economic Times, December 18, 2020.</ref> India plans to upgrade route from [[Zokhawthar]] in [[Mizoram]] to [[Tedim]] in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar as an additional connect to the IMT trilateral highway.<ref name=up4>[https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-role-of-bimstec-in-revitalising-indias-northeast/ The Role of BIMSTEC in Revitalising India’s Northeast], ORF, 23 Jun 2021.</ref>
The highway's Imphal-Moreh portion on the Indian side, however, is expected to be completed only by 2023, more than two decades after it was conceptualised
Topics], Business Standard, November 18, 2020.</ref> In November 2020, Bangladesh expressed interest to join this Highway.<ref name=up3>Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bangladesh-wants-to-join-imt-highway/articleshow/79802686.cms?from=mdr “Bangladesh wants to join India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) trilateral highway”], The Economic Times, December 18, 2020.</ref> India plans to upgrade route from [[Zokhawthar]] in [[Mizoram]] to [[Tedim]] in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar as an additional connect to the IMT trilateral highway.<ref name=up4>[https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-role-of-bimstec-in-revitalising-indias-northeast/ The Role of BIMSTEC in Revitalising India’s Northeast], ORF, 23 Jun 2021.</ref>


===Trans-Asian Railway===
===Trans-Asian Railway===
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====Jiribam–Imphal line====
====Jiribam–Imphal line====


[[Imphal railway station#Jiribam|Jiribam–Imphal line]], 111 km long line, has a likely completion date of December 2023 as per August 2021 status update.<ref name=railt1>[https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/boost-for-north-east-indian-railways-jiribam-imphal-rail-line-project-set-for-completion-soon/1877289/ Jiribam-imphal rail line set for completion soon], Financial Express, 24 Feb 2020.</ref><ref name=railne1>[https://assamtribune.com/north-east/imphal-4th-capital-city-in-ne-to-come-on-railway-map-within-27-months-1203016 Imphal, 4th capital city in NE, to come on railway map within 27 months], Assam Tribune, 13 Sep 2021.</ref>
[[Imphal railway station#Jiribam|Jiribam–Imphal line]], 111&nbsp;km long line, has a likely completion date of December 2023 as per August 2021 status update.<ref name=railne1>[https://assamtribune.com/north-east/imphal-4th-capital-city-in-ne-to-come-on-railway-map-within-27-months-1203016 Imphal, 4th capital city in NE, to come on railway map within 27 months], Assam Tribune, 13 Sep 2021.</ref><ref name=railt1>[https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/boost-for-north-east-indian-railways-jiribam-imphal-rail-line-project-set-for-completion-soon/1877289/ Jiribam-imphal rail line set for completion soon], Financial Express, 24 Feb 2020.</ref>


====Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line====
====Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line====


''Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line'',  the Jiribam–Imphal line will be extended nearly 70 km to Moreh on the [[India–Myanmar border]]. Under the [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]] of India, the line will be extended from Moreh to the existing railhead of [[Rail transport in Myanmar|Myanmar rail network]] at [[Kalay]] (also called Kale and Kalemyo) to form part of the ambitious [[Trans-Asian Railway]].<ref name=railne1/> Indian plans to extend Imphal rail link to Moreh and eventually to the Myanmar railway system, allowing onward connectivity to [[Thailand]] and [[China]]. In 2007, plan for Imphal-Moreh was expressed by India.<ref name=econ1>"The Mayhem in Manipur", [[The Economist]], 1 May 2007.</ref><ref name=tra1/> In January 2018, India initiated a preliminary survey to determine the feasibility of establishing a rail link parallel to the ''India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway''. Japan expressed interest in collaborating with India and funding the proposed rail link.<ref name="HBL1">{{cite web |title=NHAI issues EPC contract for highway project linking India, Myanmar, Thailand |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/nhai-issues-epc-contract-for-highway-project-linking-india-myanmar-thailand/article10020435.ece |website=Hindu Business Line |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
''Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line'',  the Jiribam–Imphal line will be extended nearly 70&nbsp;km to Moreh on the [[India–Myanmar border]]. Under the [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]] of India, the line will be extended from Moreh to the existing railhead of [[Rail transport in Myanmar|Myanmar rail network]] at [[Kalay]] (also called Kale and Kalemyo) to form part of the ambitious [[Trans-Asian Railway]].<ref name=railne1/> Indian plans to extend Imphal rail link to Moreh and eventually to the Myanmar railway system, allowing onward connectivity to [[Thailand]] and [[China]]. In 2007, plan for Imphal-Moreh was expressed by India.<ref name=tra1/><ref name=econ1>"The Mayhem in Manipur", [[The Economist]], 1 May 2007.</ref> In January 2018, India initiated a preliminary survey to determine the feasibility of establishing a rail link parallel to the ''India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway''. Japan expressed interest in collaborating with India and funding the proposed rail link.<ref name="HBL1">{{cite web |title=NHAI issues EPC contract for highway project linking India, Myanmar, Thailand |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/nhai-issues-epc-contract-for-highway-project-linking-india-myanmar-thailand/article10020435.ece |website=Hindu Business Line |access-date=5 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 12:32, 4 January 2022

Moreh
Moreh
town, sub-division
Moreh is located in Manipur
Moreh
Moreh
Location in Manipur, India
Moreh is located in India
Moreh
Moreh
Moreh (India)
Coordinates: 24°21′06″N 94°20′32″E / 24.35172°N 94.34217°E / 24.35172; 94.34217
Country India
StateFile:..Manipur Flag(INDIA).png Manipur
DistrictTengnoupal district
Population
 (2011)
 • Total16,847
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationMN
Websitemanipur.gov.in

Moreh is a border town located on the India–Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district of the Indian state of Manipur.[1][2]

Moreh, as a rapidly developing trade point with an integrated customs and immigration checkpoint, plays a very important role in India's Look East Policy,[3] trade and commerce under ASEAN–India Free Trade Area,[4] India-Myanmar relationship,[5] India–Myanmar–Thailand road connectivity,[6] and Trans-Asian Railway connectivity.[3][7]

Tamu in Myanmar, just across the Menal river from Moreh, is connected to Moreh via 2 road bridges: The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and a newer Moreh ICP Bridge which connects the Moreh Integrated Check Post (Moreh ICP).[8] Tamu in Myanmar connects Moreh in India to Kalewa-Yagyi-Mandalay in Myanmar and Mae Sot in Thailand through the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.[6]

Demography[edit | edit source]

In the 2011 India census,[9] Moreh had a population of 16,847. Males were 8,670 while 8,177 were females. Moreh had an average literacy rate of 71.47%, lower than the state average of 76.94%: male literacy was around 79.52%, and female literacy was 62.88%. In Moreh, 14.58% of the population was under 6 years of age. The female sex ratio was 943 compared with the state average of 985. The child sex ratio was around 985 compared with the Manipur state average of 930.

The town is mainly inhabited by Kuki people of Manipur and sizeable population of Meitei, Nepali, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu, Muslim Pangal, Bihari, and Marwari.

Economy[edit | edit source]

Being a border trade and transit town, Moreh plays a key role in the development of the economy of the state with border haat as well as international trade. A significant portion of the economy of Moreh depends on smuggling, including illegal teak smuggled from Myanmar.[10]

Border haat[edit | edit source]

Moreh has the local Border Haat trade, under the India-Myanmar Barter Trade mechanism, in which over 40 tradable items are listed. Major exports include cement, engineering goods, transport equipment, motor cycles, iron and steels, medicine, chemicals and allied products, cotton yarn, etc. The major items now imported from Myanmar through barter mechanism are betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney beans (Rajma), kuth roots, gram, resin, dry ginger, etc.

International trade[edit | edit source]

India's Ministry of Finance has also operationalised the "normal international trade" through Moreh Integrated Check Post (Moreh ICP).[11]

Transport[edit | edit source]

India is part of BIMSTEC, East Asia Summit, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Asian Highway Network and the Trans-Asian Railway network and India has embarked on several Look-East connectivity projects.[12][13]

Integrated Check Post (ICP)[edit | edit source]

Moreh ICP, costing Rs. 136 crores on 18.41 hectares (45.50 acres) land near Gate No.1 within Customs notified area, facilitates speedy movement of export-import consignments under India's Look East Policy.[14] ICP has Immigration Department, Narcotics & Drug Control Department, Land Customs Department, Customs Preventive Department, Animal Quarantine, Plant Quarantine, local Police including Women Constables, Quality Certification Inspection Agencies and Export Promotion Councils, Trade Facilitation Counter and Trade related Public Bodies, Food Testing Lab, Postal Department, Forests Department, bank counter, telecom, truck parking, staff quarters, basic amenities such as canteen, truck drivers’ rest house, etc.

Airport[edit | edit source]

Imphal Airport (110 km northwest of Moreh) is the nearest airport in India. Homalin Airport (120 km north) and Kalaymyo Airport (133 km south) are the nearest airport in Myanmar.[15]

Media briefing in New Delhi on Imphal-Moreh NH-102 upgrade, 2017.

AH1 and India-Thailand Highway[edit | edit source]

Moreh is on the Asian Highway 1 (AH1),[16] which is the longest route of the Asian Highway Network, running 20,557 km (12,774 mi) from Tokyo, Japan via Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to the border between Turkey and Bulgaria west of Istanbul where it joins end-on with European route E80, running all the way to Lisbon, Portugal.

India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, 1,408 km (875 mi) long section of AH1, connects Imphal-Moreh in India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Mandalay-Kalewa-Yagyi in Myanmar.[6] It will boost India's trade and commerce with ASEAN under ASEAN–India Free Trade Area.[4][17][18][19] Imphal-Moreh route Its upgrade was already complete by 2017, however it is further being upgraded to Asian Highway Standard in 3 packages, one of which was complete and remaining 2 will be completed by 2023 as per November 2020 status update.[20] In November 2020, Bangladesh expressed interest to join this Highway.[21] India plans to upgrade route from Zokhawthar in Mizoram to Tedim in Chin State of Myanmar as an additional connect to the IMT trilateral highway.[22]

Trans-Asian Railway[edit | edit source]

Trans-Asian Railway's (TAR) Southern Corridor (also called ITI-DKD-Y), once completed, will connect Yunnan in China and Thailand with Europe via India and Turkey. As of 2021, all freight traffic from Asia to Europe goes by sea. TAR will enable containers from Singapore, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Korea to travel over land by train to Europe. The proposed route will enter India at Moreh from Tamu in Myanmar, then enter Bangladesh through Mahisasan and Shahbajpur and again enter India from Bangladesh at Gede. On the western side, the line will enter Pakistan at Attari.[7]

To bridge the missing gap in the TAR's ITI-DKD-Y route, India and Myanmar plan to interconnect their railway networks via a 346 km (215 mi) line that will extend under-construction Jiribam-Imphal line to Moreh-Tamu border and then to existing Kalay railhead in Myanmar.[23] 180 kilometres (110 mi) of the missing link, from Jiribam to Moreh-Tamu on Myanmar border, falls in India,[24][25][26][27] out of which 110 kilometres (68 mi) Jiribam–Imphal line is under construction,[28] and remaining 70 kilometres (43 mi) Imphal-Moreh line is under planning.[7][29] Japan was conducting feasibility for the 166 kilometres (103 mi) Moreh-Tamu-Kalay link in Myanmar.[30]

Jiribam–Imphal line[edit | edit source]

Jiribam–Imphal line, 111 km long line, has a likely completion date of December 2023 as per August 2021 status update.[3][28]

Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line[edit | edit source]

Imphal–Moreh-Kalay line, the Jiribam–Imphal line will be extended nearly 70 km to Moreh on the India–Myanmar border. Under the Look East policy of India, the line will be extended from Moreh to the existing railhead of Myanmar rail network at Kalay (also called Kale and Kalemyo) to form part of the ambitious Trans-Asian Railway.[3] Indian plans to extend Imphal rail link to Moreh and eventually to the Myanmar railway system, allowing onward connectivity to Thailand and China. In 2007, plan for Imphal-Moreh was expressed by India.[7][29] In January 2018, India initiated a preliminary survey to determine the feasibility of establishing a rail link parallel to the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway. Japan expressed interest in collaborating with India and funding the proposed rail link.[30]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. A border town called moreh, Indian Express.
  2. Laithangbam, Iboyaima (19 February 2014). "Border trade along Moreh in Manipur comes to standstill". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Imphal, 4th capital city in NE, to come on railway map within 27 months, Assam Tribune, 13 Sep 2021.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Highway pact after car rally". www.telegraphindia.com.
  5. "Vigil up in Manipur over influx".
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality". Tripoto. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Trans-Asian rail connectivity: South Asian perspective, Daily Pioneer, 14 September 2021.
  8. Will checkpost at India-Myanmar border boost organised trade, The Hindu, September 12, 2019.
  9. "Moreh Population Census 2011". Census Population 2015 Data. Census Organization of India. 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  10. Inside India’s Smuggling Town at YouTube
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