Deedokpauk Bridge on Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway in Rakhine State commissioned into service

YANGON, 25 March - Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Deedokpauk Bridge on Maei-Kyaukpyu section of Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway in Yanbye Township, Rakhine State, was commissioned into service on 22 March.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than delivered an address at the opening of the bridge held on the eastern bank of Deedokpauk Creek.

He said infrastructures have been built in various sectors for development of all regions of the Union formed with 14 states and divisions. Development infrastructures have been built in all states including Rakhine State and border regions which lagged behind in develop in the past for certain reasons. Transport plays a key role in developing a region. Smooth and better transport helps promote trade and production, thereby leading to developing the regional economy. At the same time there will be a harmonious progress in health, education and social sectors.

Moreover, increase in the relationship among the brethren will promote exchange of knowledge and widening the scope of visions among themselves leading to further streng- thening national unity and Union Spirit. Thus, the Government has been giving priority to the transport development. In the past Rakhine State relied on air and water transport. Thus, the Government has been building many bridges in the state to help improve its road transport. Now the state has three highways - the Sittway-MraukU-An; the Taungup-Padaung; and the Gwa-Ngathaingchaung - linking a network of roads reaching all the directions of the nation. The section of the Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway passing through marshlands was built with the use of geotextile method. Of the 14 over 180-foot bridges on Taungup-Maei-Kyaukpyu Highway, eight bridges - the Kaingshe, the Tanlwe, the Hsapyin, the Lamu; the Maei; the Kyaukpaukgyi; the Sanepauk; and the Deedokpauk - have already been opened.

When all the bridges are completed, Ann-Maei-Kyaukpyu and An-Maei-Taungup highways linking the southern and northern Rakhine State will emerge. The Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway will also emerge magnificently as the Yangon-Sittway Highway. Thus there will be three gateways - An, Taungup and Gwa - to the state and four highways in the state. Deedokpauk Bridge is an important facility on the Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway. It is one of the 169 over 180-foot bridges built by the Public Works since 1988. The PW has built 28 over 180-foot bridges in Rakhine State alone.

The 592-foot bridge is a reinforced concrete facility supporting a 24-foot motor way. Its maximum load bearing capacity is 60 tons. It will help develop the state. Rakhine State is rich in natural resources and an offshore natural gas deposit has been found in the region. Rakhine State saw a 13.6 per cent rise in the gross domestic product in fiscal 2002-2003 when compared to that of fiscal 2001-2002. Per capita income of the state in fiscal 2002-2003 was K 79,770, up K 29,027 from K 50,743 in fiscal 2001-2002.

The Government can provide all necessary assistance and create sound foundations, but the real force behind the region's development lies in the local people. Thus, all will have to make harmonious efforts for the development of their region.

Next, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun said there are 18,436 miles of roads in the nation, up 4,801 miles from 13,635 in 1988. In Rakhine there are now 897 miles of roads, up 449 miles from 448 in 1988.

In his speech, Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Oo said rapid progress is clearly evident in every sector as the Government, the people and the Tatmadaw have realized the political, economic and social objectives in harmony for making the whole Union a peaceful, modern and developed one since the Government started assuming the respon sibilities of the State.

Such measures are being taken with the aim of upholding 'Our Three Main National Causes' - non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty - which is national policy. Now is the time when efforts are under way to implement the seven-point political programme that will promise the emergence of a new, discipline-flourishing democracy and the perpetuation of the Union.

Next, a representative, on behalf of the local national people, spoke words of thanks for the construction of Deedokpauk Bridge. Also present were Col Myint Soe of Taungup Station, local authorities, cultural dance troupe and local people totalling over 2,000.

Later, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo and Col Myint Soe formally opened the bridge. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than unveiled the stone inscription of the bridge. Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party together with the locals inspected the bridge.