MoU for border haats likely this month
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2012: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) may be signed between India and Myanmar in the later part of the current month for opening border haats at Somra and Tusom in Ukhrul district during Prime Minister Dr Manmohan's proposed visit to Myanmar.

In the meantime, it is reported that the Government of India has decided to send a technical team to make a field assessment of the highways identified for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.

Earlier, the Government of Manipur proposed to the Centre to open border haats at Bihang, New Somtal, Konkan Thana and Tusom.

Subsequently, the Government of India put forward the same proposal to the Government of Myanmar, informed an official source.

Responding to the proposal, the Government of Myanmar agreed to set up border haats at Tusom and Somra.

It is reported that the border haats would be set up in line with the border haats opened along Indo-Bangladesh border.

Incidentally, Manipur shares 386 Kms of international boundary with Myanmar.

In the aftermath of the establishment of a democratic Government in Myanmar, a meeting of the inter-ministerial group was held yesterday at New Delhi with DoNER Secretary AS Lamba in the chair.

The main agenda of the meeting were trans-border trade and connectivity between India and Myanmar.

It was during the meeting that the State Government officials were informed about the MoU which is most likely to be signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Myanmar.

At the meeting where officials of External Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry, Transport Ministry, Commerce Ministry and BRO were present, the State Government was represented by Commerce and Industries Principal Secretary O Nabakishore and in-charge Chief Engineer (National Highways) Tomba.

The meeting also decided to send a technical team to Myanmar from May 10 to 11 to make a direct assessment of the highways which have been identified for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.

The decision to send the technical team ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to Myanmar is of vital significance, remarked the official.

The meeting also deliberated on a trilateral highway connecting Moreh in India with Bagan in Myanmar and Maesot in Thailand whose development work would be assigned to the BRO.

Notably, Imphal-Mandalay highway is a section of the Asian Highway-I which would connect Turkey with Japan.

Around 70 bridges which dot the highway from Tamu to Kalewa would be repaired/developed with financial assistance from the Government of India, the DoNER Secretary reportedly stated during the meeting.

The meeting also decided to organise an Asian car rally within this year.

Moreover, some officials have been directed to inspect the condition of roads at Imphal.

Incidentally, the Government of Manipur has been insisting upon the Centre to upgrade Tulihal Airport as an international airport so as to connect Imphal with South East Asian countries.

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