November 07, 2019
President U Win Myint visited the construction site of the Attayan Bridge (Sabel Gu) over the Attayan River and the Death Railway Museum in Thanbyuzayat, Mon State, yesterday.

The President was accompanied by Union Ministers Lt-Gen Ye Aung, U Han Zaw and Nai Thet Lwin, Police Let-Gen Aung Win Oo, and other officials as he departed by Tatmadaw special flight from Nay Pyi Taw to Mawlamyine in the morning.
The President and entourage were welcomed at Mawlamyine Airport by Mon State Chief Minister Dr Aye Zan, Commander Maj-Gen Myo Moe Aung of the Southeast Command, State Chief Justice U Khin Maung Gyi, state-level Hluttaw deputy speaker, Advocate-General, auditor-general, ministers, Hluttaw representatives and other officials.

From there, the President went by motorcade to construction site of the Sabel Gu Bridge on the Kyaikmaraw-Sabel Gu-Kawtpanaw Road, handled by Special Bridge Group (14) of the Department of Bridges, Ministry of Construction.
The President was brought up to date on the upgradation progress of Gyaing (Kawkareik), Gyaing (Zawtapyin) and Attayan bridges on the East-West economic corridor by Union Minister U Han Zaw. Deputy Director-General U Khin Maung Swe of the bridge department also explained the finer details of the project.
The President gave additional guidance on the project. He said infrastructure was a priority sector as it directly affected the development of rural areas. He said constructing roads and bridges required planning for the long term and ensuring the national budget was not wasted.
He urged the professionals and officials working on the project to work harder in order to complete the project within its designated timeframe and not compromise the quality and integrity of the bridge while doing so.
Once the Attayan Bridge is complete, it will allow residents along the east bank of the Attayan River to cross over to Kyaikmaraw Town in half an hour. It will also allow faster travel to Myawaddy on the Thai border via Taranaw-Payagon Road and Mudon-Myawaddy Road.
Both of these advancements will contribute to the development of education, healthcare, businesses and society in the area. The bridge is currently 30 per cent completed and is slated to be finalized in September 2020.
Afterwards, the President and entourage travelled to Thanbyuzayat where they visited the Death Railway Museum and observed the Japanese-era locomotives and site of the Myanmar-Thai Death Railway.
After this, the President visited Kyaikkhami Yae Le Pagoda in Kyaikkhami Town where he offered offertories and donated money to the Board of Trustees. —MNA

(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)