Friendship Car Rally boosts LEP, contrasts on highways stark Yangon opens doors to Indian tourists
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 22 2012: The recent Indo-Myanmar Friendship Car Rally which covered a distance of about 5000 Kms has successfully infused the much-needed fillip to India's Look East Policy (LEP).

Moreover, the rally was also a harbinger of the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.

After the car rally which was basically aimed at boosting the bilateral ties between India and Myanmar, Indians can now tour freely in Myanmar in groups of not less than four people.

The rally which was flagged off from Guwahati on March 10 returned to Guwahati today after passing through Imphal, Moreh, Tamu, Kalewa, Monywa, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, Yangon, Piyay and Bagan.

The rally team which also included four Myanmarese nationals were accorded warm receptions at different cities of Myanmar under the aegis of its Government.

At different stages of the highway, a large number of people lined up waving to the rally team and extending their hospitality.

The car rally was jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, North East Federation of International Trade and the State Government.

People lining up to welcome the car rally

Even as the car-rally has given a more concrete shape to India's LEP, there is a lot more to be done in consultation with the Government of Myanmar before the policy fully materialises.

The recent car rally can been seen as a field survey for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.

In view of the bad shape of the highway from Kalewa to Monywa, officials of the countries even considered launching the trans-border bus service between Imphal and Kalewa for the initial period.

All along the 110 Kms long section from Tamu to Kalewa, there is not a single fuel station though there are a number of highway inns and eateries.

On the side of Manipur, there is not a single decent restaurant/eateries where passengers can rest and have meals.

Though Myanmar is comparatively backward, its highways are broader than those of Manipur and all the highways are adorned by majestic trees on both sides.

Unlike Imphal, garbage and waste materials could not be seen on the roads or towns of Myanmar.

The scene changes drastically when one reaches Moreh.

Piles of garbage and waste materials can be seen littered around or piled up on road sides.

Noting that Moreh has the potential of becoming a major international commercial hub and it has already attracted attention of many trans-border traders, officials who took part in the car rally highlighted the need to develop Moreh as a modern town and also to keep it neat and clean.

Following the car rally, the Government of Myanmar has allowed Indian citizens to tour Myanmar in groups of not less than four after taking visa from Tamu.

But they should inform the Government of Myanmar about their visit one month in advance.

On its part, the Government of India has authorised the Moreh Additional SP to act as an Immigration Officer, said vice president of the North East Federation of International Trade S Chandrakishore at Hotel Imphal today.

He further informed that a team of Myanmarese delegates would visit Manipur in November this year.

Tourism Commissioner KK Chhetry who led the rally team claimed that the car rally has considerably improved bilateral ties between the two countries.