The much-awaited Kolkata-Bangkok highway , ie the dream of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, is now going to be realized in the next 3 to 4 years. By the year 2027, this new trilateral highway will be officially opened. This will strengthen trade relations between India, Thailand and Myanmar. From common people to businessmen will be able to travel between the three countries by road.
This highway, about 2,800 km long, is going to prove to be an important milestone in the relations between India and Thailand. Earlier flights used to fly to Bangkok, people used to book air tickets, but now the way has been cleared for people to reach there by road.
Atal's dream was tripartite project
This project was a dream of former Prime Minister Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He held a ministerial meeting between India, Myanmar and Thailand in Yangon, Myanmar in April 2002 and during this the Trilateral Highway Project was drafted. Its purpose was to increase trade between India and the Association of South East Asian Countries.
It is really a big project. Many nations will benefit from this. The regional trade and transport system will change completely. This will further strengthen the close ties between India and Thailand.
It has been named the Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) project. The work on the project has already started. This is expected to strengthen the country's economy.
Why was the 2002 project delayed?
The 160 km long India-Myanmar Friendship Road construction project was started which was to be completed by 2009. After which the repair work of bridges was to be done in Myanmar. But due to financial constraints, as far as work could be done in India, it stopped there.
Then in May 2012, on behalf of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government, it was said that India would spend $ 100 million to convert the existing highway into four lanes and rebuild 71 bridges. But this work could not be done till 2014.
New agreement raised hope in 2016
In August 2016, India and Myanmar signed an agreement. According to which it was decided that India would give funds for the construction of 69 bridges in the 146.28 kilometer section of the Tamu to Kaleva road. India allocated $256 million in August 2017 to complete all outstanding work on the highway in the Myanmar region.
The Modi administration then awarded a $150 million contract for maintenance of the forward portion of the highway in September of the same year. Protocols have been signed to facilitate the movement of cargo and passenger vehicles under inter-governmental negotiations between India, Myanmar and Thailand.
How long will the road and bridge be?
The entire highway will be about 2,800 km long. Although Thailand will have the shortest section of this road while its longest part will be in India. The trilateral highway will start in Bangkok and pass through Sukhothai, Mae Sot, Mandalay, Yangon, Kalewa and Tamu in Myanmar. In India it will pass through Kohima, Moreh, Shrirampur, Guwahati, Kolkata and Siliguri.
Tourism and economic development will get a boost
Looking at the format of this megaproject, it is estimated that the trilateral highway will open doors of new possibilities in the direction of improving travel facilities and transportation. Bilateral trade will get a boost in the areas through which this highway will pass. Cross-border investment will increase and economic development will gain momentum.
The Kolkata-Bangkok Highway It is anticipated that tourism between India and Thailand will increase as travel becomes accessible.
When will the road open, how much work is left?
The trilateral highway will be officially opened in the next 3 to 4 years, according to trade foreign ministers attending a business conference organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to the Government of Thailand, most of the project work has been completed in Thailand.
On the other hand, Myanmar also says that most of the 1,512 kilometer highway has been constructed in their country, the rest will be completed in the next three years.
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