By Kyaw Htike Soe
A RURAL bridge over Thinpon Creek in Hsinthae Village, Wundwin Township in Mandalay Region was constructed at a cost of more than Ks. 220 million donated by local people, according to an official who is responsible for construction of the bridge. The facility was built under the supervision of prominent Buddhist monks. The importance of the bridge and difficulties of the locals were presented to the regional government. The Chief Minister of Mandalay Region Dr. Zaw Myint Maung pledged to allocate Ks. 65 million for construction of the bridge.
A committee has been set up to execute the financial matters for construction of the bridge in April, a Buddhist monk from the bridge construction committee explained. They are satisfied with the emergence of the new bridge because it is vital for them, some residents revealed. The rural bridge has been opened to traffic recently. The facility is of reinforced concrete type and measures 10 ft. in height, 180 ft. in length and 12 ft. width. It has a 3 ft. long pedestrian walkway on each side and can withstand up to 15 tons of weight. Its approach road is 200 ft. long. In the past, local people experienced many difficulties in various areas due to poor transportation in the region. Residents nearby areas solely use the Thinpon Creek to go to either Wundwin or Mahlaing Townships for their daily businesses. Now, local people in western part of Wundwin Township and residents from eastern side of Mahlaing Township can traverse the bridge with greater ease in all seasons.
A sub-power station plus an 18-mile long power transmission line are being constructed to distribute electricity to Nyaungmyint Villages and its 34 nearby villages, according to a source from the township electricity office manager. “A sub-power station and 18-mile long power transmission line are being built by Asia General Electric Co Ltd under the supervision of the Mandalay Electricity Supply Corporation (MESC) in order to distribute electricity to Nyaungmyint and its nearby villages. Construction of the sub-power station is slated for completion in September and the power transmission line is about 90 percent completed,” said U Yu Maw, the manager of township electricity office. Once in full operation, electricity will be supplied to 2229 households from 34 village-tracts in the eastern parts of Meiktila Township.
The Department of Urban and Housing Development under the Ministry of Construction will develop reasonably priced housing apartments in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region this fiscal year, according to an official from the department. The apartments will be built in Mekingon, Botutgon and Thammamdaw Villages in Patheingyi Township. Currently, arrangements are being made to seek approval from authorities for drawing up a design for the buildings and one square foot is priced at between Ks. 22,500 and Ks. 23,000. “Upon completion of the projects, people can buy the apartments depending on how much money they want to spend. Construction of the housing projects will start soon. Further affordable housing will be implemented if we get more land plots,” he added. Suitably-priced apartments will be sold to retirees, employees from private companies, civilians living at a low-income level and people who saved money at the Construction and Housing Development Bank through its bank loan system on a prioritized basis, the director said.
An affordable housing complex named “Mya Yi Nandar Housing” which consists of 1,232 rooms was constructed in Chanmyathazi Township in Mandalay Region previously. The price for each apartment measuring 650 square ft. ranges from Ks. 16.3 million to Ks. 22.3 million.
