The opening ceremony of the Chindwin Bridge (Homalin) constructed by the Ministry of Construction, Department of Bridges on Tamu-Aungzeya-Kaktha-Homalin road in Sagaing Region, Homalin Township was held at the bridge yesterday morning. Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe from the Office of the State Counsellor attended the ceremony and opened the bridge.
In his opening remarks Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe said it was an auspicious day for Sagaing Region because the Chindwin Bridge (Homalin) on Tamu-Aungzeya-Kaktha-Homalin road was opened and that he equally happy together with the local people.
He said the Union Government that was elected by the people was now two years and about 10 months old. During this period it had strived towards equal and balanced development of all regions in the whole of the Republic of Union of Myanmar including far-off and remote places. The Union Government and state/region governments had coordinated for the proportionate development of all states and regions. As basic infrastructures of road, bridge and electricity are developed, the social, economic, education and health levels of peoples living in the states and regions will be raised. In his Myanmar New Year greeting speech the President included plans for development of electricity and road transport in basic infrastructure development. In his speech at the opening ceremony of Shwe Taung Yan (Ma KyeeChaung) Bridge last October he spoke of the government’s plan to complete more than 400 bridges during the remaining term.
In addition to this the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan – MSDP (2018-2030) was drawn up with the aim of establishing of a peaceful and flourishing democratic country. Seven strategies in the aim three of Pillar Two Prosperity and Partnership include the work process of “constructing priority basic infrastructure to support sustainable development and various businesses.”
Sagaing Region is wide in area and in the upper Chindwin region, due to difficult road transport throughout the ages, it has been lagging behind and Khamti region had little development. The livelihood conditions of ethnic nationals in the region were not developed as much as it should and remains lagging behind. Therefore priority was given towards development of road transportation. Where required bridges were constructed to overcome natural obstacles and roads were upgraded to all-weather roads. In addition to development of the waterway along Chindwin River, road networks were constructed to travel with ease to the middle part of Myanmar. Only when bridges and roads are good can the people travel with ease developing socio-economic situation as well as achieving more friendly relationships.
The Chindwin Bridge (Homalin) on Tamu-Aungzeya-Kaktha-Homalin road has a total length of 2,762 ft. and is a steel reinforced concrete bridge. Due to the opening of this bridge, India border can be reached via Homalin and will benefit ethnic nationals of Khamti region in upper Saging Region.
He said the Union Government had started all sector development and reform works in its first year period in accord with the slogan of “time for change” and focused mainly on creating jobs, improving road transport and making electricity available. In its second year period in accord with the slogan “together with the people” the State’s affairs were conducted together with the people. In the third year period as per the slogan “collective strength” the collective existence and collective works were being conducted with collective strength.
Therefore, the ethnic nationals and local people in Sagaing Region are required to continue their cooperation. When transitioning from an old system to a new system and from an old age to a new age, difficulties and challenges will be encountered. But the establishment of a democratic federal union and achieving internal peace will be successful if the people cooperate and participate. The government is striving toward strengthening and development of national interest with uninterrupted concentration and unyielding efforts and starting from this New Year to forthcoming years, opportunities were created and grasped in political, economic and social sectors. While striving to grasp the opportunities, it will overcome challenges with the collective strength of the people.
In conclusion, the Union Government will strive towards achieving the set aims and directions and ethnic national brothers, sisters and the people of the country are to cooperate and participate more in the establishment of union peace, a democractic federal union and development work processes, said the Union Minister.
Afterwards, Chief Minister of Sagaing Region Dr. Myint Naing said with the inauguration of the Chindwin Bridge (Homelin), local people in Homelin would get a trade route in all-weather to India passing through Kale and Kalewa townships and the improved situation would bring development of the economic, education, health and social sectors.
Similarly, the people in the Naga Self-Administered Zone in upstream areas of the Chindwin River would get another route to Moreh, India, for trading passing through the bridge, said the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, a 330-mile long road which is important for the Naga SAZ and upper areas of Sagaing passing through Thakkekyin, Phaungpyin and Homalin are being upgraded by the Sagaing Region Government, said the Chief Minister.
Afterwards, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin briefed about the construction of the bridge and a local resident expressed thanks for the construction of the bridge.
Afterwards, Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, Sagaing Region Chief Minister Dr. MyintNaing, Speaker of Sagaing Region Hluttaw U Than, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Lin, Sagaing Region minister U Than Nyunt Win, Sagaing Region Minister for Shan Ethnic Affairs Daw Nan Hmwe Hmwe Khin, Pyithu Hluttaw Representative U Myo Nyunt and Amyotha Hluttaw Representative U Nyi Nyi Htwe formally opened the bridge.
Next, Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, Chief Minister Dr. Myint Naing, and Speaker U Than unveiled the stone inscription of the bridge and sprinkled scented water over it.
The bridge linking Homalin and the areas in the west bank of the Chindwin River and the iron concrete bridge is 2762.6 ft long flanked by two pedestrian roads. Following the opening ceremony of the bridge, Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe, Chief Minister Dr. MyintNaing and departmental officials flew to Leshe to participate the Naga New Year Festival.
The Union minister and entourage attended a charity food donation ceremony to mark the New Year of Nagas in Leshe.
Afterwards, they visited the traditional houses of the Naga tribes in Leshe.
It is learnt that the following were present at the ceremony: The bridge opening ceremony was attended by Sagaing Region Chief Minister Dr. Myint Naing, Region Hluttaw Speaker U Than, Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin, Deputy Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Hla Maw Oo, region ministers, Hluttaw representatives, departmental officials and local people.—MNA
