Headlines    

Government laying emphasis on tasks for ensuring better transport in states and divisions
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye meets officials of eastern and southern Shan State

Yangon, 16 Nov - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye discussed matters relating to development of the strategic roads in Shan State (East) and Shan State (South) in meeting with officials at the meeting hall of the station in Mongpan on 16 November.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo said the strategic roads in Shan State (East) and Shan State (South) are being upgraded. The 45-mile Mongnai-Kengtung road, the 41-mile Kholan-Kyaingtaung road, the 46-mile Mongpan-Kyaingtaung road and the 78-mile and four furlongs Pangli-Nampaing-Boshi-Tachilek road are being upgraded the government. National entrepreneurs are permitted to construct some roads. They are the 73-mile Kengtung-Mongyan road, the 91-mile Mongphyat-Monghsat road, the 75-mile Tarhsan-Monghsat road, the 25-mile Mongkhoke-Mongtwan road, the 43-mile and three furlongs Mongphyat-Mongyaung road, the 52-mile Namhsam-Langhkio road, the 74-mile Kengtung-Mongkhoke road and the 64-mile Langhkio-Tarhsan road.

He also reported on progress of work on road sections, tasks to be undertaken and use of machinery in the road sections. Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Khin Zaw also gave a supplementary report. Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported on matters relating to construction of roads and Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi on fuel supply. Next, the entrepreneurs reported on work done on the road sections. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye said the government is laying emphasis on the tasks for ensuring better transport in states and divisions. The government is also giving priority to the development of the roads in border areas. Efforts are to be made for upgrading the roads in border areas including Shan State (East) to standard ones, he said.

He said the government allowed the efficient private entrepreneurs to upgrade the old ones and to construct the new ones. The government and the private entrepreneurs must put greater efforts for the development of transport sector, he added. The strategic roads in southern and northern Shan State are to be upgraded in accord with standards set. Systematic projects are to be laid down for upgrading of the Union Road of Kengtung-Taunggyi-Meiktila road to all-weather one. Both the Union Road and the strategic roads need to be good ones so that people from the plain regions can go to Kengtung regions in eastern part of Thanlwin River any time. Friendly relations among the national races will strengthen and economy and trade will alsoÊimprove. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye called for effective implementation of the respective tasks. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party left by helicopter and arrived in Taunggyi in the afternoon.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party observed Tazaungdaing festival and a ceremony to send up traditional hot-air balloons into the sky. This morning, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party went to Mwaydaw Katku Hsutaungpyi Asoka Pagoda in Katku Village Tract in Taunggyi. They were welcomed by Tactical Operations Commander Col Tha Aung, Pa-Oh national leader U Aung Kham Hti and local people. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party offered flowers, lights and incense to the pagoda. They paid obeisance to the ancient Buddha images and offered Shwethingan to the pagoda.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party paid obeisance to Buddha Dattaw Shwe Zedi and Buddha sacred relics. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party inspected construction of Tagundaing in the north of the pagoda and renovation of the pagoda. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye visited Phaubfdawsite Pagoda built by Alaung Sithu and gave instructions on renovation of the pagoda.

They then obeisance to the pagodas and Buddha images in the precincts of Mwaydaw Katku Hsutaungpyi Asoka Pagoda. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye signed in the visitor's book. Pa-Oh national leader U Aung Kham Hti presented the picture of Mwaydaw Katku Hsutaungpyi Asoka Pagoda to Vice-Senior General Maung Aye. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party went to Heho Airport and arrived back here in the evening.