New Mandalay Bridge

[GWR]

Merdeka Expedition Achieves A First In Myanmar

From Khairul Anuar Muhd Noh

TOUNGOO (Myanmar), Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The Cape Town-Kuala Lumpur Merdeka Expedition 2007 achieved a first in Myanmar yesterday.

Malaysia's Defence Attache in Myanmar, Col Sanusi Hashim, said the expedition's members were the first foreigners to cross the new two-kilometre Mandalay bridge over the Irrawaddy, the longest river in Myanmar.

"The honour was given to the expedition by the local authorities of Mandalay city. The bridge is not even open to the public yet," he told Bernama here today.

The expedition also was granted permission to use the Moreh-Tamu land route to enter Myanmar from India, he said, adding that many foreign expeditions had requested for permission to use the route but so far apart from this expedition, only one from India had been allowed to use it last December.

Sanusi said it was not easy to get permission to use the route due to security reasons and because of that, many expeditions had to bypass Myanmar and use the Thailand-Laos-China route when coming from or going to India.

"The permission was given on condition the expedition left Myanmar by sea and not across the Myanmar-Thailand border because its security could not be guaranteed due to threats from Karen militants there.

However, after government-to government and military-to-military discussions, Myanmar relented and will escort the convoy to the town of Myawaddy bordering Mae-Sot in Thailand, a distance of 180 kilometres from here, tomorrow," he said.

The expedition has travelled 18,500 kilometres across 13 countries so far and still has 3,500 kilometres to go.

It is scheduled to arrive at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur at 4.30 pm, in time for the Merdeka eve celebrations (on Aug 30). The expedition is being held in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th Merdeka (Independence) anniversary.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/

[GWR]

New Light of Myanmar
Senior General Than Shwe attends opening of Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon)
Emergence of one bridge after another highlights robust economy of the State

NAY PYI TAW, 15 April-A ceremony to open the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) in Amarapura Township, Mandalay Division, constructed by Public Works under the Ministry of Construction was held at the Mingala Pandal near the bridge on Mandalay bank on 11 April morning, attended by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Also present on the occasion were member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, members of the SPDC Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander- in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Maj- Gen Khin Zaw of the Ministry of Defence, commanders, ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers, the Mandalay Mayor, heads of departments of the SPDC Office and the ministries, those from Public Works, the Deputy Superintending Engineer of Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) Project and officials, departmental officials from Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions, local authorities of Mandalay District, Sagaing District and townships, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association and social organizations, women’s Affairs organizations, Maternal and Child welfare Associations, war veterans Organizations, Red Cross society and fire Brigades, teachers and students and local people.

Member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann made a speech on the occasion.

He said that the opening of the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) has brought auspiciousness to Myanmar people. The Head of State who gave guidance and fulfilled all necessary requirements in the course of the construction of the bridge attended the opening ceremony. The presence of the Head of State on such auspicious occasion reflects his serious attention to the bridge and his goodwill towards the people.

The over 180 feet long facility built by Myanmar technicians in the time of the State Peace and Development Council is the 233rd of its kind and the 8th of Ayeyawady river crossing bridges. It is in parallel with Inwa Bridge built by colonialists when Myanmar was under foreign subjugation.

And the bridge will go down in the annals of Myanmar history. The emergence of one bridge after another highlights the strong economy of the State, the nationalistic spirit and higher technology of the people and the systematic fulfillment of the government in development infrastructures in the interest of the State and the people.

During their rule colonialists built a few infrastructures that were necessary for their economy and administration. With the intention of keeping one national race away from another they created poor transport. It is obvious that the colonialists built only Inwa bridge in the strategic region although many bridges needed to be built during their rule. Likewise, they built main roads in some regions of eastern part of Ayeyawady river in lower Myanmar and of western parts of Ayeyawady river in upper Myanmar. Due to poor transport, certain regions lagged behind in development. Therefore, in the time of the State Peace and Development Council a large number of bridges were built in the states and divisions in order to bring about harmonious development the length and breadth of the nation.

The goodwill of the government is to enhance the socio-economic life of the people, to fulfill the food, clothing and shelter needs and bring about secure and smooth transport and to enable the people to engage in trade and commerce in an easy way.

This is the fulfillment of the government for each citizen who wishes to earn his living in the framework of law, to enhance his socioeconomic life, to enjoy better transport and to develop his region and nation to keep pace with changes and developments. Bringing about equitable development across the nation amounts to striving for regional development as well as development of education, health, economic and social sectors of national races.

Located in central Myanmar, the facility is strategically important for better transport in the states and divisions. In the meantime, the bridge is indispensable for tourism industry as it links regions where Theravada Buddhism flourishes as well as where there are historic religious edifices and monuments and cultural heritages.

The Ayeyawady bridge (Yadanabon) contributes a lot to national development as it is located in a region where trade, commerce, industries and information technology flourish.

At present, the government is making all-out efforts in order to be able to cooperate with neighbouring countries, countries in the region and international community in all spheres while striving for bringing about community peace and tranquility, prevalence of law and order and development of health, education, economic and social sectors.

If economic and social sectors of people fully develop along with sound infrastructures it is sure that the country will keep abreast of international community.

The government has built a large number of infrastructures in production, service and trade sectors for development of economy of the State. In the meantime, nine districts greening tasks in arid zone is making progress. Thanks to concerted efforts of the government and the people unprecedented progress has been made in the greening of Sagaing and Mandalay hills.

All in all, carrying out greening tasks with own resources in the interest of the State and the people amounts to engaging practically in a major community task.

With the development of socio-economic life of the people coupled with their scope of knowledge the nation will be able to overcome a series of instigation, obstacles and hindrances and to safeguard the nation for its perpetuation.

He stressed the need for the people to be disciplined and united and to make constant efforts with patriotism and nationalistic fervour.

In conclusion, he said that the SPDC is implementing political, economic and social objectives in order to reach the national goal in a short time.

It is doing so with the aim of enhancing the socio-economic life of the people, of enabling the people to earn their living in the framework of law, of enabling the nation to stand tall among international community, of ensuring the perpetuation of the Union and of safeguarding the nation from falling into foreign subjugation.

The State constitution capable of guaranteeing national interest from generation to generation will soon be approved by the people, he added and spoke of the need for the people to do their bit in the process of approving the State constitution as national duty. And to collectively ward off any wicked acts detrimental to the process of approving the State constitution and to safeguard the bridge for perpetual existence.

In his address, Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe said that since 1992, the Inwa bridge had no longer been able to cope with any vehicle of above 15 tons. In compliance with the guidance of the Head of State, Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) was thus constructed.

The Head of State graced the inauguration of Ayeyawady Bridge, the eighth Ayeyawady Rivercrossing facility, he said.

Thanks to the new roads and bridges, the people now can travel in Mandalay Division and from and to Magway and Bago divisions, Kachin State, Shan State (North) and Shan State (South), he said, calling for maintaining the transport facilities for their durability and warding off the threats of internal and external saboteurs with patriotic spirit and nationalistic fervour.

Commander of North West Command Brig-Gen Myint Soe said that the bridge makes significant contribution towards regional development, calling on local people to help maintain the facility for its durability.

Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun also made a speech. A local resident expressed thanks the government for the bridge.

Senior General Than Shwe cordially greeted the attendees. Commander Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Soe, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and
Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han formally opened the bridge.

Senior General Than Shwe and party posed for a documentary photo together with officials.

General Thura Shwe Mann formally unveiled the stone plaque of the bridge and sprinkled scented water onto it, so did Commander Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Soe, and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun. Senior General Than Shwe inspected the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon).

The 5614-foot-long bridge lies at a place, about 2000 feet upstream Inwa Bridge.

The main bridge is 3694 feet long, the approach bridge on Mandalay side, 1140 feet long, and the approach bridge on Saging side, 780 feet long.

The bridge has a 49- foot-wide motorway and two six-foot-wide pedestrians lanes.

Its clearance area is 700 feet wide and 40 feet high. At maximum, it can withstand 60 tons of load.
Non-specific link:
http://www.myanmar.com/newspaper/nlm/index.html