Imphal, February 20, 2010: With the assistance of the Chinese Government, a bridge has been constructed over the bordering Mynal river on Manipur sector of the Indo-Myanmar International boundary, much to the benefit of Myanmarese traders.

In sharp contrast, there is no visible sign on improvement of the Imphal-Moreh stretch of the National Highway 39 even in the near future.

After completion of Chinese Government-assisted bridge the border trade has not only boosted economy of Myanmar but also opened up a large market for the electronic items manufactured in China.

With construction of the bridge, Myanmarese traders do not have to any more pass through parts of Manipur while coming to Namphalong Market for selling or trading their goods.

Import and export activities of the two neighbouring countries are currently being carried out at Moreh Gate no.1 as per an agreement of the ongoing border trade and efforts are being made to extend the trading activities at Moreh Gate no.II as well.

But with the construction of the bridge over Mynal river which directly connects Namphalong Market, Myanmarese traders are reaping the benefit of the border trade all the more.

Not a sizable market though, with an eye on development of the Namphalong Market, Myanmar Government has also started construction of various trading structures at different parts of the market.

On the other hand, there is no immediate prospect on the development of Imphal-Moreh road which would ultimately connect the Saurastra-Silchar Super Highway when it extends upto Moreh and joins with the Trans-Asian Highway to connect with Mae Sot in Thailand via Bagan of Myanmar.

The bridge at Lokchao which is located along the Imphal-Moreh road and was constructed during World War II still stands today with no sign of construction of a new bridge to replace the old one.

By virtue of being under Military Junta, pace of development works in Myanmar is comparatively very swift unlike in democratic India where it takes time to take decision on developmental works as well as in the implemention.

As a part of the measure initiated by the Centre for improving the diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries, BRTF is currently being engaged in the construction of a 'Friendship Road' to be connected with Mandalay from the point of the bridge constructed over Mynal river, which is flowing in between the two neighbouring countries and situated little beyond Moreh Gate no.11. However, when it comes to the development of the Imphal-Moreh Road, despite the efforts being made by the Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways, none of the local contractors have qualified in the pre-qualification bidding and the outside firms which qualified in the bidding are hesitant from coming even though the work is going to involve money in terms of crores.

According to sources from the Works Department of the State, the Ministry has not released any more fund for the maintenance of Imphal-Moreh Road and there is no possibility on repairing the road stretch in the next 2/3 years.

Nonetheless, condition of the National Highway stretch has been deteriorating over the years.

This is inspite of the great expectation on increasing the volume of the ongoing border trade activities from the present 22 items to 44 items through this road stretch.

To bring about a change in the character of the ongoing border trade and speed up the import-export activities, the Land-Ports Authority of India had already approved setting up Integrated Check Post (ICP) at 13 different locations along the border with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Consequently, the land acquisition process in connection with construction of an ICP at Moreh has been completed.

Along with acquisition of 45.50 acres of land near Moreh Gate No.II for the purpose, the Government has already entrusted the district administration for payment of compensation to 405 land owners.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed ICP at Moreh which would be constructed at an estimated cost of 130 crores and on the model similar to Wagah border in Punjab is being prepared by the Rail India Technical Economic Services.

When completed the proposed ICP would provide facilities for Land Customs, Police, Customs Prevention Department, Forest, Narcotics, Postal, Banking, Telecom, Animal and Plant quarantine, Quality Certification Inspection Agency, Trade Facilitation Counter, Food Testing Laboratory, Parking and cafeteria.

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