3 June

Two Hluttaw MPs made public clarifications on the situation of the Yangon Urban Mass Rapid Transit (YUMRT) at an event in Athula Maguta Sasana Beikman in Hlinethaya Township yesterday, which was attended by government officials and residents living in the vicinity of the project implementation area.

U Win Min, Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Hlinethaya constituency, and U Aye Bo, an Amyotha Hluttaw representative, delivered separate remarks that urged relevant organizations and the public concerned to cooperate so that the project can be accomplished in a legal format.

They both highlighted the contribution of the project to Hlinethaya Township, which has a high population density and a large nomadic demographic.

Next, officials from the YUMRT project, including technicians and environmental impact researchers, explained the support and technological assistance received for the project and the construction and environmental impact of it.

Following this, attendees asked questions concerning the project implementation area and other consequences they should be aware of. Authorities then replied that the project will be conducted in an absolutely transparent manner and will be done in a way that is acceptable by the majority, to the best that they can.

The YUMRT will start from Hlinethaya Station along the Yangon-Pathein road, cross over Hlaing River, and run along the north of Bayinnaung Bridge and eventually stop at Parami Station, covering 18 kilometres from start to finish. This project is the first phase in connecting the eastern and western parts of Yangon.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Yangon Region Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are working together on the project.

Concerning the YUMRT project, U Htun Aung Thin, general manager of Myanma Railways (Lower Myanmar), explained that the sky train is based on standard models of Thailand and Indonesia and the time period for the survey and design phase is scheduled from 2018 to 2022. He said this will ensure minimal impact on the environment and the community, adding that the public meeting today is the first step in making the whole process more transparent to the people in the immediate implementation vicinity of the project. He said they aim for the project to completed by 2027. —Hlinethaya IPRD, Myo Min Thein (Mayangon)

(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)