The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed an agreement for upgradation of
Yagyi - Kalewa section of highway in Myanmar to two-lane.
- This project is part of India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway and will be NHAI’s first international project.
- The project has been funded by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
- It would be executed on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode at a cost of Rs.1177 crores.
Aim
- It aims to provide seamless vehicular movement for enhancing trade, business, health, education and tourism between Indian, Myanmar and Thailand.
Key Facts
- The project would be completed in three years.
- The project will have three new major bridges and two new minor bridges.
- Four existing major bridges and nine existing minor bridges will be repaired and strengthened and six existing minor bridges will be reconstructed.
- The Yagyi – Kalewa stretch will have 6 truck lay byes, 20 bus bays and passenger shelters and 1 rest area.
- The IMT (India-Myanmar-Thailand) highway is a regional highway being constructed under India’s Act East Policy in order to boost connectivity in the region.
- It will connect Moreh in India with Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. It is expected to boost trade and commerce in ASEAN-India Free Trade Area.
About NHAI
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the Government of India, responsible for management of national highways. It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Deepak Kumar is the current chairman of NHAI whereas Yogendra Narain was its first Chairman. It was set up by an act of the Parliament, NHAI Act, 1988. Along with other minor projects, it has been entrusted with National Highways Development Project. NHDP is India’s largest ever Highways Project in a phased manner.
