India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway

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India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
Major junctions
FromMoreh, Manipur, India
ToMae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand
Location
CountriesIndia, Myanmar, Thailand
Highway system
Asian Highway Network

The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is a highway under construction under India's Look East policy that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar.[1] Imphal-Mandalay-Bangkok 55 km (34 mi) route, consisting of Imphal-Mandalay 584 km (363 mi) and Mandalay-Bangkok 1,397 km (868 mi), is a highway in good condition except for 101 km (63 mi) part of 120 km (75 mi) long Kalewa-Yagyi stretch being upgraded to 2-lane in each direction (total 4 lanes) highway by India.

The road is expected to boost trade and commerce in the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia. India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.[2] The proposed approx 3,200 km (2,000 mi) route from India to Vietnam is known as the East-West Economic Corridor (Thailand to Cambodia and Vietnam became operational in 2015).[3] This highway will also connect to the river ports being developed along the way at Kalay (also called Kalaymyo) and Monywa on Chindwin River.[4]

India and ASEAN have plans to extend this route to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as this connectivity will generate annually, an estimated US$70 billion in incremental GDP and 20 million in incremental aggregate employment by 2025, and India has offered US$1 billion line-of-credit for the India-ASEAN connectivity projects (c. Dec 2017).[5]

In December 2020, Bangladesh expressed official interest to join the highway project in order to boost connectivity from Dhaka. The existing BBIN motor vehicle agreement facilitates reduced border controls and customs inspection for freight transport between India and Bangladesh.[6]

History[edit]

A highway connecting Moreh to Mae Sot via Myanmar was first proposed at a trilateral ministerial meeting on transport linkages in Yangon in April 2002.[7] The length of the four-lane highway is approximately 1,360 km (850 mi).[8][9] The following sections needed upgrade, all other sections were already operational in good condition as the national highways.

Moreh-Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa section[edit]

The 160 km (99 mi) long India–Myanmar Friendship Road, linking Moreh-Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa, was officially inaugurated on 13 February 2001, and it now forms a part of the trilateral highway. This road was built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Indian Army. The BRO maintained the road until 2009, when it was transferred to the Government of Myanmar.[10] Per the original agreement between India and Myanmar on the Friendship Road project, the Indian government was tasked with widening and repaving the existing roads in the area, while the Myanmar government would upgrade the decrepit single-lane bridges along the route. However, the Myanmar government failed to carry out the upgradation work.[11] In May 2012, India announced that it would invest US$100 million to repave the existing highway and upgrade all 71 bridges that Myanmar had failed to build.[12] Myanmar stated that it would upgrade the Yargi-Monywa section and open the existing motorway between Mandalay-Naw Pyi Taw and Yangon. Following the 2015 Myanmar elections, the new government withdrew the country's commitment, and India was expected to upgrade the stretch from Moreh to Monywa. An alternate alignment for the stretch between Mandalay-Naw Pyi Taw and Yangon was also proposed.[13]

The Indian government also plans to construct a road from Zokhawthar, Mizoram through the Zokhawthar-Rih border to Tedim in the Chin State of Myanmar. This will serve as an additional point of crossing from India to the trilateral highway in Myanmar.[14]

Kalewa-Yagyi section[edit]

During Myanmar President U. Htin Kyaw's state visit to India in August 2016, an MoU was signed with the Government of India under which the latter will fund the construction of 69 bridges, including approach roads in the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa section (149.70 km (93.02 mi)) of the highway, and also upgrade the Kalewa-Yagyi section (120.74 km (75.02 mi)).[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] India provided funding for the renovation of 73 bridges along the route in Myanmar that were originally built during World War II.[22][23] India and Myanmar signed an agreement to speed up construction of the highway on 29 August 2016.[24][25][26] Prabir De, coordinator of the ASEAN-India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries, stated in November 2017 that the Border Roads Organisation had completed upgrading the 160 km (99 mi) Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo section of the highway in Myanmar at a cost of US$27.28 million.[27] In August 2017, the government of India allocated US$256 million for the upgrade of 1,360 km (850 mi) highway from Moreh in Manipur through Tamu, Myanmar to Mae Sot in Thailand.[28] On 6 September 2017, the National Highway Authority of India awarded a ₹1,200 crore (US$170 million) construction and maintenance road contract for the Kalewa-Yagyi section in Myanmar to a joint venture of Punj Lloyd and Varaha Infra Ltd. The 120 km (75 mi) stretch will be upgraded to a two-lane road. The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project will entirely be funded by the Indian Foreign Ministry.[29] On 11 April 2018, Yagyi-Kalewa section was finally awarded to Punj Lloyd, to be completed in 3 years by April 2021 for Rs.1,177 crore in Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) mode under a special purpose vehicle,[30] which will be an international standard highway with two-lane in each direction with paved shoulders, entailing 6 truck stops, 20 bus stops and passenger shelters, 1 rest area, strengthening of 4 existing major bridges and 9 existing minor bridges, and construction of 3 new major bridges and 2 new minor bridges.[30]

Myawaddy-Thinggan Nyenaung-Kawkareik section[edit]

The 25.6 km (15.9 mi) long Myawaddy-Thinggan Nyenaung-Kawkareik section of the highway was inaugurated by Thai and Myanmar officials on 30 August 2015, reducing travel time between Thinggan Nyenaung and Kawkareik from three hours to 45 minutes. Construction on the section had begun in 2012. On the same day, a foundation stone laying ceremony was held at Myawaddy, Myanmar to mark the beginning of construction of the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge No.2 that will link Mae Sot, Thailand with Myawaddy.[31][32][33][34]

Ein Du-Thaton section[edit]

In February 2017, Myanmar approved a proposal from the Thai government permitting the latter to upgrade a 68 km (42 mi) section of the road between Thaton in Mon State and Ein Du in Kayin State. The upgrade will be financed by Thailand at a cost of US$51 million. Under the project, the road will be widened and its surface improved. Myanmar also requested Thailand to assist in the development of other sections of the highway.[35][36][37]

Financing[edit]

In May 2017, India's NITI Aayog proposed establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle owned by all three countries to monitor and implement the project.[38]

Travel arrangements[edit]

Moreh-Tamu border crossing[edit]

Moreh ICP in India is already operational.[39] Tamu is the border town on Myanmar side.

Border crossing and integrated checkpost between Myanmar and Thailand has been operational for several years.

Vehicle trial run[edit]

A trial run of passenger vehicles on the highway up to Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, was carried out during November 9–14, 2015 in which Indian vehicles travelled to Myanmar on the Imphal-Mandalay-Bagan-Naypyidaw route and back, with Myanmar vehicles joining the Indian vehicles on the return journey. In order to let people know about the highway, a car rally[40] was flagged off by the governments of the three countries from New Delhi. The rally will travel from New Delhi to Guwahati and will enter Myanmar from Manipur (India) before moving on to Bangkok.[40]

Motor Vehicle Agreement and visa arrangements[edit]

In 2015, India proposed a trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the three countries.[41] In May 2017, during a visit by Thai officials to Manipur, the state's Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore declared that the draft of the trilateral agreement had already been prepared.[42][43] In December 2017, Myanmar stated that it needed time to review all of its connectivity agreements, before proceeding with this agreement.[44]

In early 2018, visa agreement were signed for the citizens of two nations to travel by road for education, medical assistance, tourism and other purposes.[45][46]

As of May 2018, the signing of Motor vehicle agreement is still pending.[46]

Bus service[edit]

In September 2017, Indian ambassador to Myanmar announced that an Imphal-Mandalay India-Myanmar bus service will commence from 2018 after India and Myanmar sign the motor vehicle agreement.[47]

As of May 2018, this is still pending subject to the signing of Motor vehicle agreement by the Myanmar.[46]

Rail connectivity[edit]

India initiated a preliminary survey to determine the feasibility of establishing a rail link parallel to the trilateral highway in January 2018. Japan expressed interest in collaborating with India and funding the proposed rail link.[14]

Route upgrade status[edit]

The highway's route will be Moreh (India) – Tamu (Myanmar) – Kalewa (Myanmar) – Yagyi (Myanmar) – Monywa (Myanmar) – Mandalay (Myanmar) – Pakokku (Myanmar) — Meiktila (Myanmar) – Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar) – Payagyi (Myanmar) – Theinzayat (Myanmar) – Thaton (Myanmar) – Hpa'an (Myanmar) – Kawkareik (Myanmar) – Myawaddy (Myanmar) – Mae Sot (Thailand).[48]

The status of upgrade of various segments of the highway according to India's Ministry of Development of the Northeast Region is shown below.[49][50] During 9–14 December 2015, there was an Imphal-Mandalay-Naypyidaw bus service trial run on the 101 km (63 mi) bumpy stretch between Kalewa-Yagyi.[51][52]

Sl. Stretch Distance Status Remarks
1. Moreh-Tamu-Kalewa 149.70 km (93.02 mi) Completed (2017) 65 km (40 mi) Imphal to Moreh is being upgraded at INR16.3 billion, first 20 km (12 mi) up to Wangjing village to 4 lane and the rest with 2 lane highway with the paved shoulders. Moreh-Kyigone-Kalemyo(Kalewa) section, also known as the “India-Myanmar Friendship Road,” was completed by India on 13 February 2001, of which 149.70 km (93.02 mi) Tamu to Kalewa upgrade was completed by India in 2017 to 2-lane highway in 2017 including 71 bridges.[27] Integrated immigration and customs checkpost for all types of passenger at Moreh is also open in 2017 and its twin border town Tamu is just across the border in Myanmar.
2. Kalewa-Yagyi 120.74 km (75.02 mi) Being upgraded (2021, April) For Kalewa (Kalemyo) to Yagyi (Yargi and Yar Kyi) in Sagaing Region, India awarded the INR17 billion construction contract, to be completed in 3 years from April 2018 to April 2021, to Punj Lloyd and Varaha Infra in April 2018 for upgrading hilly mud track to 2-lane international highway with the paved shoulders.[29][30]
3. Yagyi-Chaungma-Monywa 64.4 km (40.0 mi) Completed (201?) It passes through Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park. "Yagyi (Yargi)-Chaungma (Chaung Ma)-Monywa" upgraded by Myanmar on BOT basis.
4. Monywa-Mandalay 136 km (85 mi) Completed (201?) Monywa-Mandalay stretch is already developed.
5. Mandalay-Meiktila bypass 123.13 km (76.51 mi) Completed (2010) Part of the Yangon–Mandalay Expressway that was opened in December 2010.
6. Meiktila bypass-Taungoo-Oktwin-Payagyi (Pyay) 238 km (148 mi) Completed (2010) Part of the Yangon–Mandalay Expressway that was opened in December 2010. Pyay or Payagyi, ancient pagoda studded seat of Pyu city-states, is a district in Bago Region.
7. Payagyi-Theinzayat (Thein Za Yat)-Thaton 140 km (87 mi) Completed (2017) Payagyi to Myeik (includes Thaton-Mawlamyine-Kawkareik section) is upgraded by India,[53][54] and it is part of National Highway 8 (Myanmar).
8. Thaton-Mawlamyine-Kawkareik 134.4 km (83.5 mi) Being upgraded (2020) In 2016 Myanmar secured a loan from the ADB for the 66.4 km (41.3 mi) Eindu-Kawkareik section and started the construction in 2016 which continued in 2017.[55][56] In February 2017, Thailand agreed to pay for the widening and upgrade of 68 km (42 mi) Thaton to Ein Du (Kayin State) section of Thaton-Eindu-Mawlamyaing road that is part of National Highway 8 (Myanmar).[35]
9. Kawkareik-Myawaddy 25.6 km (15.9 mi) Completed (2015) Myawaddy-Thinggan Nyenaung-Kawkareik highway was completed and inaugurated on 30 August 2015, cutting time between Thinggan Nyenaung and Kawkareik from three hours to 45 minutes.
10. Myawaddy-Mae Sot 20 km (12 mi) Almost complete (2018) Customs, new second road and rail bridge, 16 km (10 mi) Mae Sot bypass road and Tak-Mae Sot highway on Thai side are complete in Dec 2017, only 4 km (2.5 mi) road to connect to the National Highway on Myanmar is pending due to the land acquisition issues (Dec 2017).[57]

Look-East connectivity[edit]

Main article: India's Look-East connectivity

Commerce with South and East Asian nations accounts for almost 45% of India's foreign trade.[58][59] Myanmar and ASEAN nations are part of India's Look East policy.[60][61][62] 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.[63][64]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality". Tripoto. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Highway pact after car rally". www.telegraphindia.com.
  3. ↑ "Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand". The Irrawaddy. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  4. ↑ Myanmar to develop river ports, 2017.
  5. ↑ Asean in talks to take IMT highway up to Vietnam, 12 Dec 2017.
  6. ↑ Rajagopalan, Rajeswari Pillai. "Connectivity Gaining Greater Currency in India-Bangladesh Relations". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "India, Myanmar, Thailand road project at feasibility stage". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 6 November 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "India-Myanmar-Thailand road: Govt to sign pact in November". The Indian Express. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "MEA directed to monitor trilateral highway project". The Financial Express. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  10. ↑ "Myanmar seeks BRO help to construct bridges". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  11. ↑ "India Myanmar Friendship Road". 2014-07-23. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  12. ↑ Walker, Morgan Hartley and Chris. "Burma's Second Chance For Trade With India". Forbes. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  13. ↑ Bose, Pratim Ranjan. "Connectivity with Myanmar — the wait gets longer". @businessline.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "NHAI issues EPC contract for highway project linking India, Myanmar, Thailand". Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  15. ↑ Correspondent, Special. "India, Myanmar to build bridges, sign pact for 69". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  16. ↑ Diplomat, Sampa Kundu, The. "How India Can Direct its 'Act East' Policy Toward Myanmar". The Diplomat. Retrieved 17 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ India, Press Trust of (1 December 2016). "IMT trilateral highway: India completes 130 kilometres (81 mi) stretch". Business Standard India. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  18. ↑ "Construction of 69 Bridges for Better Road Connectivity Between India and South East Asia". Business Standard India. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  19. ↑ "The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has engaged Egis in India for the prestigious Trilateral Highway project". 18 September 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "Q.NO.2824.International Highway". mea.gov.in. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  21. ↑ "Consultancy Services for Preparation of Feasibility Report for Upgradation of Kalewa-Yagyi Road Section in Myanmar". egis-india.com. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "India, Thailand, Myanmar working on 1,400 km link road". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "1400-Km Long Road To Connect India, Thailand, Myanmar". NDTV. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Myanmar President meets Modi in Delhi, 4 agreements signed | India News - Times of India". The Times of India.
  25. ↑ "PM Narendra Modi: 'Road map and action agenda' with Myanmar now evolved". August 30, 2016.
  26. ↑ "India, Myanmar to build bridges, sign pact for 69". August 29, 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "ASEAN Summit: Connectivity remains challenge as trilateral highway through Myanmar and Thailand remains incomplete". Firstpost. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  28. ↑ "China's Silk Road lends urgency to India's regional ambitions.", Economic Times, 9 August 2017.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Sood, Jyotika (6 September 2017). "India puts Myanmar highway project on the fast track". livemint.com/. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 NHAI awards Yagyi-Kalewa highway contract, FII News, 13 April 2018.
  31. ↑ "New Asian highway section to link India-Myanmar-Thailand". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  32. ↑ "Section of new Asian highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand put into service". Firstpost. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "Section of India-Myanmar-Thailand Asian Highway put into service". India TV News. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  34. ↑ Mon, Ye (29 August 2016). "CSOs call for suspension of Asia Highway construction". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 PCL., Post Publishing. "Myanmar gives road link boost". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  36. ↑ "Thailand offers $51m highway upgrade, as trade mission boosts bilateral ties". Frontier Myanmar. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  37. ↑ "Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand". The Irrawaddy. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  38. ↑ "Construct India-Myanmar-Thailand highway through SPV". Business Standard India. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  39. ↑ India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Times of India, 1 Oct 2o17.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "HugeDomains.com - EasternFeed.com is for sale (Eastern Feed)". www.hugedomains.com. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  41. ↑ "Plea for Motor vehicle agrement between India and Myanmar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  42. ↑ "Thailand Envoy Visits Manipur". Northeast Today. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  43. ↑ "Thai delegation visits Manipur". easternmirrornagaland.com. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  44. ↑ "Myanmar seeks time to sign vehicle pact as India speed up highway to Thailand". Hindustan Times. 6 January 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  45. ↑ India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN, Myanmar Times, May 2018.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Still under construction, The Statesman, 13 May 2018.
  47. ↑ Imphal-Mandalay bus service likely to begin from next year., Imphal Times, 9 Sept 2017.
  48. ↑ "Q 2343 Progress of Trilateral Road". Indian Ministry of External Affairs. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  49. ↑ "Myanmar, Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region, Northeast India". Ministry of Development of the Northeast Region. June 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  50. ↑ http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/gadkari-announces-rs-22000-crore-road-package-for-manipur/ Gadkari announces Rs 22,000 crore road package for Manipur, Eastern Mirror Nagaland, 11 Dec 2016.
  51. ↑ http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=travel.Manipur_Travel_Log.Imphal_Mandalay_Bus_Service_a_dream_come_true_By_M_Lakshmikumar Imphal-Mandalay Bus Service a dream come true, e-pao, Dec 2015.
  52. ↑ http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=travel.Manipur_Travel_Log.Myanmar_As_I_see_it_By_Clay_Khongsai Myanmar - As I see it, Dec 2015.
  53. ↑ UP-Thailand highway may miss 2016 deadline, Sept 2014.
  54. ↑ India fails to walk the 'Act East' talk, Times of India, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Greater Mekong Subregion East–West Economic Corridor Eindu to Kawkareik Road Improvement Project". Asian Development Bank. November 10, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Economic Corridor Eindu to Kawkareik Road Improvement". Asian Development Bank. February 21, 2013.
  57. ↑ https://news.thaivisa.com/article/13072/land-expropriations-stall-second-thai-myanmar-friendship-bridge-opening Land expropriations stall second Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge opening, Dec 2017
  58. ↑ India's Look East Policy
  59. ↑ Sino-Indian relations
  60. ↑ "Vietnam among pillars of India's "Look East" policy". english.vietnamnet.vn. Vietnam News Agency. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  61. ↑ "Modi govt to give greater push to India's Look East Policy, says Sushma Swaraj". Firstpost. 2014-08-25. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  62. ↑ "Sushma Swaraj tells Indian envoys to Act East and not just Look East". The Economic Times. 26 August 2014.
  63. ↑ "India's 'Look East' Policy Pays off". www.globalpolicy.org.
  64. ↑ India's Look East Policy (2)
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