Jump to content

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
No edit summary
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Connection of seaports in India and Myanmar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
[[File:Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.svg|thumb|Route map of the transport project]]
[[File:Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.svg|thumb|Route map of the transport project]]
The '''Kaladan Road Project'''<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Purushothaman|first=Vakkom|url=http://tntmagazine.in/news/mizoram/kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-to-link-sea-route-in-myanmar-with-mizoram/|title=Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram|newspaper=The Northeast Times|accessdate=11 August 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415053036/http://tntmagazine.in/news/mizoram/kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-to-link-sea-route-in-myanmar-with-mizoram/|archivedate=15 April 2012}}</ref> is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of [[Kolkata]] with [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Rakhine State]], Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to [[Paletwa]] in [[Chin State]] via the [[Kaladan river]] boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to [[Mizoram]] state in Northeast India. Originally, the project was scheduled to be completed by 2014, but is expected to be operational only by 2019-2020 as all components of the project, including Sittwe port and power, river dredging, Paletwa jetty, have been completed, except the under construction Zorinpui-Paletwa road,<ref name=update2/><ref name=update3>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/india-starts-construction-of-1600-cr-mizoram-myanmar-kaladan-road/article23577107.ece India starts construction of ₹1,600-cr Mizoram-Myanmar Kaladan road ], Business Line, 17 April 2018.</ref> construction of which commenced in April 2018 (December 2018 update).<ref name=mandalay1/>
The '''Kaladan Road Project'''<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Purushothaman|first=Vakkom|url=http://tntmagazine.in/news/mizoram/kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-to-link-sea-route-in-myanmar-with-mizoram/|title=Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram|newspaper=The Northeast Times|access-date=11 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415053036/http://tntmagazine.in/news/mizoram/kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-to-link-sea-route-in-myanmar-with-mizoram/|archive-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> ({{langx|my|ကုလားတန်မြစ်ကြောင်း ဘက်စုံဖွံ့ဖြိုးရေး စီမံကိန်း}}) is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of [[Kolkata]] with [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Rakhine State]], Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to [[Paletwa]] in [[Chin State]] via the [[Kaladan river]] boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to [[Mizoram]] state in Northeast India. All components of the project, including Sittwe port and power, river [[dredging]], Paletwa jetty, have been completed,<ref name=update2>[https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/north/still-under-construction-1502635461.html Still under construction], ''The Statesman'', 13 May 2018.</ref><ref name=update3>[https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/india-starts-construction-of-1600-cr-mizoram-myanmar-kaladan-road/article23577107.ece India starts construction of ₹1,600-cr Mizoram-Myanmar Kaladan road], ''Business Line'', 17 April 2018.</ref> except the under construction Zorinpui-Paletwa road.<ref name=jats1>[https://theprint.in/diplomacy/110-km-road-is-final-challenge-for-long-delayed-india-myanmar-kaladan-connectivity-project/629247/ 110-km road is final challenge for long-delayed India-Myanmar Kaladan connectivity project], The Print, 29 March, 2021.</ref> Originally, the project was scheduled to be completed by 2014, but end-to-end project is expected to be fully operational only by '''December 2023''' as per November 2023 update.<ref name=jats1/>


The route of the project around Paletwa and along the [[Kaladan river]] is troubled with [[Chin people#History and politics|Chin conflict]], [[Rohingya conflict]] and militant groups such as [[Arakan Army (Kachin State)|Arakan Army]] and [[Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army]] (ARSA).<ref name=mand4>[https://www.firstpost.com/india/buddhist-refugees-in-mizoram-begin-journey-back-to-myanmar-but-unconfirmed-tales-of-horror-keep-them-on-edge-4383481.html Buddhist refugees in Mizoram begin journey back to Myanmar, but unconfirmed tales of horror keep them on edge], First Post.</ref><ref name=mand5>[https://thewire.in/politics/ne-dispatch-home-of-shillong-times-editor-attacked-sikkim-faces-vegetable-shortage NE Displaced people], The Wire.</ref> Among these the ARSA, created by Pakistan's [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] and has links with [[Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen]] in Bangladesh and the [[Indian Mujahideen]] in India,<ref name=terror1>[https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/myanmar-calling/cid/1461895 Myanmar calling], The Telegraph.</ref> was behind the mass killing of Hindu [[Burmese Indians]] in the [[Kha Maung Seik massacre]].<ref name="amnesty">[https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-myanmar-rohingya/myanmar-says-bodies-of-28-hindu-villagers-found-in-rakhine-state-idUKKCN1BZ0RL Myanmar says bodies of 28 Hindu villagers found in Rakhine State]</ref><ref name="AmnestyInt">{{cite web|title=Myanmar: New evidence reveals Rohingya armed group massacred scores in Rakhine State | url = https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/myanmar-new-evidence-reveals-rohingya-armed-group-massacred-scores-in-rakhine-state/|website=www.amnesty.org|language=en}}</ref>
The route of the project around Paletwa and along the [[Kaladan river]] is troubled with [[Chin people#History and politics|Chin conflict]], [[Rohingya conflict]] and militant groups such as [[Arakan Army (Kachin State)|Arakan Army]] and [[Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army]] (ARSA).<ref name=mand4>[https://www.firstpost.com/india/buddhist-refugees-in-mizoram-begin-journey-back-to-myanmar-but-unconfirmed-tales-of-horror-keep-them-on-edge-4383481.html Buddhist refugees in Mizoram begin journey back to Myanmar, but unconfirmed tales of horror keep them on edge], ''First Post''</ref><ref name=mand5>[https://thewire.in/politics/ne-dispatch-home-of-shillong-times-editor-attacked-sikkim-faces-vegetable-shortage NE Displaced people], The Wire.</ref> Among these the ARSA, created by Pakistan's [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]] and has links with [[Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen]] in Bangladesh and the [[Indian Mujahideen]] in India,<ref name=terror1>[https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/myanmar-calling/cid/1461895 Myanmar calling], ''The Telegraph''</ref> was behind the mass killing of Hindu [[Burmese Indians]] in the [[Kha Maung Seik massacre]].<ref name="amnesty">{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-myanmar-rohingya-idUKKCN1BZ0RL |title=Myanmar says bodies of 28 Hindu villagers found in Rakhine State|first=wa Lone, Shoon |last=Naing |date=25 September 2017|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref><ref name="AmnestyInt">{{cite web|title=Myanmar: New evidence reveals Rohingya armed group massacred scores in Rakhine State | url = https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/myanmar-new-evidence-reveals-rohingya-armed-group-massacred-scores-in-rakhine-state/|website=www.amnesty.org| date = 22 May 2018}}</ref>


Paletwa is less than 20&nbsp;km from the Bangladesh border.
Paletwa is less than {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from the Bangladesh border.


==Route==
==History==
===Sea-river-road route===
The project has several sections combining multi-modes of transport:<ref>[http://www.mdoner.gov.in/content/introduction-1 Multi-modal project introduction]</ref>
# 539&nbsp;km shipping route from seaport of [[Kolkata]] in [[India]] to [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Myanmar]] via [[Bay of Bengal]]. This sea route has been operational for several decades. Port upgrade to handle 20,000 ton vessels, from previously capacity of 40,000 ton has been '''completed.'''
# 158&nbsp;km river boat route from [[Sittwe]] seaport to Inland Water Terminal (IWT) and hydro power project at [[Paletwa]] jetty via [[Kaladan river]] in [[Myanmar]]. River dredging and jetty upgrade completed in June 2017.<ref name=biz1/><ref name=mand3>[https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html India ramps up Myanmar ties]</ref> There is at least one [[Lock (water navigation)|river lock]] for navigation.<ref name=lock1>[http://stsfor.org/content/indias-infrastructure-development-projects-myanmar-game-changer-region-part-2-3 India's connectivity to Myanmar].</ref> Six barges of 300 ton capacity each were handed over to Myanmar by the government of India.<ref name=ton1>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/cabinet-clears-revised-cost-for-kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-115101400905_1.html Delay in Kaladan project], Business Standard, 2018.</ref> '''Completed.'''<ref name=update2/> Sittwe Special Economic Zone at Ponnagyun town {{convert|60|km|mi}} north from Sittwe upstream of [[Kaladan River]] at Ponnagyun town is being built by India on 1000 acres.<ref name=sez1/><ref name=biz1/>
# 62&nbsp;km two-lane in each direction (4 lanes total) road route from IWT [[Paletwa]] to [[Zochachhuah|Zochawchhuah]](India)-Zorinpui(Myanmar) at Indo-Myanmar border in [[Myanmar]]. Construction contract of INR1600 crore (16 billion) was awarded to [[Ircon International|Ircon]] in June 2017,<ref name=biz1/><ref name=mand2/> and construction commenced in April 2018,<ref name=mandalay1>[https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-myanmar-land-border-crossing-open-sushma-swaraj-imphal-mandalay-bus-service-5305229/ Road to Mandalay] Indian Express, June 2018.</ref> after all the necessary approvals were granted by the Myanmar govt in January 2018.<ref name=mand2>[https://thenortheasttoday.com/archive/mizoram-to-get-connected-with-sittwe-port-in-rakhine-state-of-myanmar-via-1600-cr-road/ Mizoram to get connected with Sittwe port].</ref> [[Borders of India#India–Myanmar border|Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost]] at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui has been operational since 2017. Tender for the road upgrade was awarded in 2017, currently under-construction and '''to be completed by December 2019''',<ref name=update2/> though this ambitious deadline is harder to meet and might be missed.<ref name=mand2/> India is also planning to construct a road to connect Paletwa with the [[AH1#Myanmar|Asian Highway AH1]].<ref name=lock1/>
# 100&nbsp;km route from Indo-Myanmar border at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui to Aizawl. From Aizawl it connect to Aizawl-Saiha National Highway at [[Lawngtlai]] in [[Mizoram]] in [[India]] by road on [[National Highway 54 (India)]] (NH-54), which then continues further to [[Dabaka]] in [[Assam]] via 850&nbsp;km long NH-54 which in turn is part of the larger [[North–South and East–West Corridor#East-West Corridor|East-West Corridor]] connecting [[North East India]] with the rest of [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png |title=Multi-modal route map |access-date=12 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822053547/http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png |archive-date=22 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Almost complete (June 2017).<ref name=biz1>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/india-awards-road-contract-to-complete-kaladan-project-in-myanmar/article9723297.ece India awards road contract to complete Kaladan project in Myanmar], Business Line, 9 June 2017.</ref> Awarded, upgrade to this national highway is under-construction and '''to be Completed by 2019.'''<ref name=update2/> In June 2017, 90&nbsp;km 2-lane route from Indo-Myanmar border at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui to [[Tuipang]] is almost complete. From [[Tuipang]], the national highway is being further upgraded from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane from [[National Highway 54 (India)|NH 54]] [[Lawngtlai]] to [[Aizawl]] in [[Mizoram]].<ref name=biz1/> INR6000 crore (60 billion) was approved to further improve this Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui-Aizawl national highway.<ref name=mand2/> [[Siaha]]-Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui missing section of the highway was under construction (April 2018).<ref name=mand2/> Lomasu to [[Lawngtlai]] is a two lane highway in each direction (total four lanes) and Lawngtlai to [[Aizawl]]-[[Guwahati]] national highway is being widened to 4 lanes in each direction (total 8 lanes).<ref name=high1>[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-india-appoint-operator-sittwe-port-project.html India appoints post operator], Irrawaddy.</ref>


This project will reduce distance from [[Kolkata]] to [[Sittwe]] by approximately {{convert|1328|km|abbr=on}} and will reduce the need to transport goods through the narrow [[Siliguri]] corridor, also known as [[Chicken's Neck (India)|Chicken's Neck]].
===Complementary railway route===
This railway route will complement the river-road route of this project in Myanmar-Mizoram:


Initially India had tried to persuade [[Bangladesh]] to offer transport and transit rights to the northeastern states.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Egreteau |first=Renaud |date=2011 |title=A Passage to Burma? India, Development and Democratization in Myanmar |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13569775.2011.619771|journal=Contemporary Politics|volume=17|issue=4|doi=10.1080/13569775.2011.619771 |pages=467–486 |s2cid=153496597}}</ref> However, [[Bangladesh]] has consistently refused to grant such rights, including access to its [[Chittagong]] port, which is less than {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} away from [[Agartala]], the capital of [[Tripura]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Phukan|first=Papori|title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Project In Myanmar|url=http://manipuronline.com/look-east-policy/kaladan-multi-modal-project-in-myanmar/2010/12/19|access-date=11 August 2012|newspaper=Manipur Online}}</ref>
* '''Sittwe-[[Kyaukhtu]] railway in Myanmar, 90&nbsp;km - exists and operational:''' This route has been operational since 2011. To integrate with other routes-network in Myanmar, it will be [[Rail transport in Myanmar#Lines under construction|further extended 311 km by 2021-22]], from Kyaukhtu in north to [[Ann, Myanmar|Ann]] in south and then south-east to [[Minbu]] where it will connect to Myanmar rail network as well as 1,215&nbsp;km long [[Kyaukpyu|Kyaukpyu port]]-Minbu-Kunming high-speed railway [[Kyaukpyu#Kunming-Kyaukpyu Railway|being planned by China]].<ref>[http://www.idsa.in/backgrounder/myanmar-in-chinas-push-into-the-indian-ocean_jmpaul_120316 Myanmar in China’s Push into the Indian Ocean], Joshy M Paul, March 14, 2016, retrieved 20 January 2017</ref>
* '''Kyaukhtu-Zorinpui in Myanmar, 200&nbsp;km - planned but not yet surveyed:''' India has future yet-unapproved plans to fund and construct this missing link.
* '''Zochawchhuah(Zorinpui)-[[Sairang]] railway in India, 375&nbsp;km - being surveyed since Aug-2017:''' Survey for the Rail line from [[Sairang]] (Aizawl) to [[Hmawngbuchhuah]] on border near Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui was completed in August 2017 and it will be constructed in future phase.<ref name=railline1>[http://www.powerupconstruction.com/indias-north-east-opensthe-gateway-to-prosperity/ India's north east opened up], PowerUpConstruction.Com</ref>


The project is being piloted and funded by the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]]. The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by [[RITES|Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES)]]. Construction work on [[Sittwe]] port and the boat jetty in [[Paletwa]], as well as the dredging work, will be executed by the [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]] (IWAI), with Essar Projects Ltd, a division of the [[Essar Group]] appointed in May 2010 as the main contractor.<ref>{{cite web |work=Arakan Rivers |title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project|url=http://www.arakanrivers.net/?page_id=135 |access-date=11 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529113016/http://www.arakanrivers.net/?page_id=135 |archive-date=29 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Other projects - alternate route to northeast India===
Compared to the 1,880-km-long, congested "Chicken’s Neck" [[Siliguri Corridor]], this Kaladan project will almost half the distance to a mere 950&nbsp;km. As an alternate route (unrelated to the Kaladan Multi-Model project) to northeast India, India is also [[Borders of India#India–Bangladesh border|developing railway route]] from [[Cox's Bazar]] deep water port to [[South Tripura district]] by rehabilitating the railway link from [[Santirbazar]] in India to [[Feni District|Feni]] in Bangladesh, where a road and rail bridge is being built to connect the "[[Belonia, India]] - [[Parshuram Upazila|Parshuram, Bangladesh]] road and rail crossing checkposts", this will reduce traffic through Sittwe, but will provide strategically redundancy if there is a war with China.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com/world/as-smart-as-sittwe-going-north-east-by-south-east-6480951.html As Smart as Sittwe: Going North-East by South-East], First Post, 2019.</ref>


Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project initially faced problems such as underestimation of the road length in [[Myanmar]] and plans to construct hydro-electric projects — [[Chhimtuipui|Chhimtuipui River]] and [[Lungleng River]] — on two tributaries of the [[Kaladan River]] followed by another project downstream. That the first two projects are being built by one public sector undertaking and the third is being constructed by another PSU (Public Sector Unit) has also led to coordination issues. Due to construction of this hydro electrical projects, navigation of boats could be effected.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dikshit|first=Sandeep|title=India-Myanmar transport project hits roadblock|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3377718.ece|access-date=11 August 2012|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
==History==
This project will reduce distance from [[Kolkata]] to [[Sittwe]]e by approximately 1328&nbsp;km and will reduce the need to transport good through the narrow [[Siliguri]] corridor, also known as [[Chicken's Neck (India)|Chicken's Neck]].


In April 2017, the Sittwe port and IWT Paletwa jetty were ready and operational.<ref name=miz1/> In April 2017, India handed over the operation of completed Sittwe port and Inland Water Terminal at Paletwa to Myanmar. In June 2017, India handed six gas tanker cargo vessels worth US$81.29 million (K110.08 billion) to the Myanmar government to transport gas to north-east India via [[Manipur]]. Work on the port in Sittwe and the IWT in Paletwa, Chin State, is in its final stages, and the six cargo vessels are meant to facilitate transportation of goods from Sittwe to Paletwa. The $81.29 million cost of the vessels was met through a grant from India. The construction work was assigned to IWT in October 2012, the keels were laid in March 2013 and the vessels were launched between April and December 2016. On completion of the tests and trials at Yangon, the vessels reached Sittwe in March 2017. Acceptance trials were completed in April 2017 in Sittwe.<ref name=miz1>[http://www.mizzima.com/news-domestic/six-cargo-vessels-handed-over-myanmar-india vessels handed over to Myanmar by India], Mizzima, 2 June 2017.</ref>
Initially [[India]] had tried to persuade [[Bangladesh]] to offer transport and transit rights to the northeastern states.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Egreteau|first=Renaud|date=2011|title=A Passage to Burma? India, Development and Democratization in Myanmar|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13569775.2011.619771|journal=Contemporary Politics|language=en|volume=17|issue=4|doi=10.1080/13569775.2011.619771|pages=467–486}}</ref> However, [[Bangladesh]] has consistently refused to grant such rights, including access to its [[Chittagong]] port, which is less than 200&nbsp;km away from [[Agartala]], the capital of [[Tripura]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Phukan|first=Papori|title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Project In Myanmar|url=http://manipuronline.com/look-east-policy/kaladan-multi-modal-project-in-myanmar/2010/12/19|accessdate=11 August 2012|newspaper=Manipur Online}}</ref>


In June 2017, after several upward budget revisions and troubles in finding contractors, the INR1,600-crore (US$250 million) contract has been finally awarded to an Indian company C&C construction for building 109-km road connecting IWT Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram border. The contractor would open offices at Sittwe, Paletwa and Yangon in Myanmar, mobilise men and machine during the monsoon and start construction after the monsoon in October.<ref name=biz1/>
The project is being piloted and funded by the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]]. The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by [[RITES|Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES)]]. Construction work on [[Sittwe]] port and the boat jetty in [[Paletwa]], as well as the dredging work, will be executed by the [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]] (IWAI), with Essar Projects Ltd, a division of the [[Essar Group]] appointed in May 2010 as the main contractor.<ref>{{cite web|work=Arakan Rivers|title=Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project|url=http://www.arakanrivers.net/?page_id=135|accessdate=11 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529113016/http://www.arakanrivers.net/?page_id=135|archive-date=29 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Route==
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project initially faced problems such as underestimation of the road length in [[Myanmar]] and plans to construct hydro-electric projects — [[Chhimtuipui|Chhimtuipui River]] and [[Lungleng River]] — on two tributaries of the [[Kaladan River]] followed by another project downstream. That the first two projects are being built by one public sector undertaking and the third is being constructed by another PSU (Public Sector Unit) has also led to coordination issues. Due to construction of this hydro electrical projects, Navigation of boats could be effected.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dikshit|first=Sandeep|title=India-Myanmar transport project hits roadblock|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3377718.ece|accessdate=11 August 2012|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>


===Sea–river–road route===
The project includes a waterway component of 158&nbsp;km on Kaladan River from Sittwe to Paletwa in Myanmar and a road component of 109&nbsp;km from Paletwa to Zorinpui along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.


The project has several sections combining multi-modes of transport:<ref>[http://www.mdoner.gov.in/content/introduction-1 Multi-modal project introduction]</ref>
'''The highway road project will enhance cross border trade between India and Myanmar and will also provide an alternate outlet to the landlocked North East which is heavily dependent on the narrow ‘Chicken’s Neck’ at Siliguri'''


* '''Kolkata-Sittwe shipping route - {{convert|539|km|abbr=on}}''' from seaport of [[Kolkata]] in India to [[Sittwe]] seaport in [[Myanmar]] via [[Bay of Bengal]]. This sea route has been operational for several decades. Port upgrade, from 20,000 ton vessels to 40,000 ton capacity vessels, has been '''completed.'''
Construction of cross-border road between Mizoram in India and Myanmar began in April 2018. The road project is part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. India has already completed the rest of the Kaladan project work in Myanmar. This includes construction of the Sittwe Port on Lakadan river mouth in Rakhine, construction of a river terminal 158km upstream at Paletwa and dredging of the Kaladan river.


* '''Sittwe seaport to Paletwa inland jettyriver boat route - {{convert|158|km|abbr=on}}'''' from [[Sittwe]] seaport to Inland Water Terminal (IWT) and hydro power project at [[Paletwa]] jetty via [[Kaladan river]] in [[Myanmar]]. River dredging and jetty upgrade completed in June 2017.<ref name=biz1/><ref name=mand3>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html|title=India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN|date=15 May 2018|website=The Myanmar Times|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516112626/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is at least one [[Lock (water navigation)|river lock]] for navigation.<ref name=lock1>[http://stsfor.org/content/indias-infrastructure-development-projects-myanmar-game-changer-region-part-2-3 India's connectivity to Myanmar].</ref> Six barges of 300 ton capacity each were handed over to Myanmar by the government of India.<ref name=ton1>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/cabinet-clears-revised-cost-for-kaladan-multi-modal-transit-transport-project-115101400905_1.html Delay in Kaladan project], ''Business Standard'', 2018.</ref> '''Completed.'''<ref name=update2/> <br>Sittwe Special Economic Zone at Ponnagyun town {{convert|60|km|mi}} north from Sittwe upstream of [[Kaladan River]] at Ponnagyun town is being built by India on 1000 acres.<ref name=sez1/><ref name=biz1/>
Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State in south-western Myanmar. It is located at the mouth of the Kaladan river, which flows into Mizoram in north-eastern India. The new route through Sittwe would significantly lower the cost and distance of movement from Kolkata to Mizoram and beyond.


* '''Paletwa inland jetty to Zorinpui road route in Myanmar - {{convert|108|km|abbr=on}}''' two-lane in each direction (4 lanes total) road route from IWT [[Paletwa]] to [[Zochachhuah|Zochawchhuah]](India)–Zorinpui (Myanmar) at Indo-Myanmar border in [[Myanmar]]. Construction contract of INR1600 crore (16 billion) was awarded to [[Ircon International|Ircon]] in June 2017,<ref name=biz1/><ref name=mand2/> and construction commenced in April 2018,<ref name=mandalay1>[https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-myanmar-land-border-crossing-open-sushma-swaraj-imphal-mandalay-bus-service-5305229/ Road to Mandalay] ''Indian Express'', June 2018.</ref> after all the necessary approvals were granted by the Myanmar govt in January 2018.<ref name=mand2>[https://thenortheasttoday.com/archive/mizoram-to-get-connected-with-sittwe-port-in-rakhine-state-of-myanmar-via-1600-cr-road/ Mizoram to get connected with Sittwe port].</ref> [[Borders of India#India–Myanmar border|Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost]] at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui has been operational since 2017.<ref name=jooats1/>
India has for years sought transit access through Bangladesh to ship goods to the landlocked north-eastern States. At present, the only route to this region from the rest of India is through a narrow strip of Indian territory nicknamed the Chicken’s Neck in West Bengal.


** '''Package-I: Paletwa inland jetty to Kaletwa road route in Myanmar - {{convert|67|km|abbr=on}}''' is '''Complete''' as per March 2024 update.<ref name=jooats1/><ref name=jooats3/>
The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES). The 109km cross-border road connects Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui on the Mizoram border in Myanmar. The road will help connect Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State of Myanmar, upon the completion of construction in December 2019. The road project will enhance cross border trade between India and Myanmar and will also increase trade in the region. Once the road project is completed, it will belong entirely to Myanmar.


** '''Package-II: Kaletwa to Zorinpui road route in Myanmar - {{convert|48.5|km|abbr=on}}''' is '''under construction''' as per March 2024 update, militants in control of the area have assured cooperation and security for the completion of the road.<ref name=jooats2> [https://cenjows.in/preserving-indian-interests-during-ongoing-disturbances-in-myanmar/ Preserving Indian Interests during Ongoing Disturbances in Myanmar]. Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. Manshi Suhag. July 9, 2024. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214010615/https://cenjows.in/preserving-indian-interests-during-ongoing-disturbances-in-myanmar/|date=December 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name=jooats3>[https://idsa.in/idsacomments/The-Kaladan-Transport-Project-Amidst-the-Civil-War-in-Myanmar-OPDas-220724 The Kaladan Transport Project Amidst the Civil War in Myanmar], IDSA, 22 July 2024. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804094411/https://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/The-Kaladan-Transport-Project-Amidst-the-Civil-War-in-Myanmar-OPDas-220724|date=August 4, 2024}} </ref>
The road project involves construction in dense forests and insurgency affected areas. It also passes through areas that have the presence of Myanmar rebel group called Arakan Army. Both the countries signed a MoU which agreed to facilitate the movement of project personnel, construction material and equipment to expedite work on the highway.


* '''Zorinpui to Aizawl road route in India - {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}}''' from Indo-Myanmar border at Zorinpui to Aizawl. From Aizawl it connect to Aizawl-Saiha National Highway at [[Lawngtlai]] in [[Mizoram]], India by road on [[National Highway 54 (India)]] (NH-54), which then continues further to [[Dabaka]] in [[Assam]] via {{convert|850|km|abbr=on}} long NH-54 which in turn is part of the larger [[North–South and East–West Corridor#East-West Corridor|East–West Corridor]] connecting [[North East India]] with the rest of India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png |title=Multi-modal route map |access-date=12 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822053547/http://www.arakanrivers.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Kaladan-Mov.png |archive-date=22 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=biz1>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/india-awards-road-contract-to-complete-kaladan-project-in-myanmar/article9723297.ece India awards road contract to complete Kaladan project in Myanmar], ''Business Line'', 9 June 2017.</ref> '''Complete''' as per March 2024 update.<ref name=jooats3/><ref name=jooats1>[https://theprint.in/india/mizoram-mp-meets-myanmar-militants-in-push-to-speed-up-work-on-key-connectivity-project/1985471/ Mizoram MP meets Myanmar militants in push to speed up work on key connectivity project], The Print, 1 Mar 2024.</ref><br> '''Note:''' The {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}} 2-lane route from Indo-Myanmar border at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui to [[Tuipang]] is complete. From Tuipang, the national highway wass further upgraded from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane from [[National Highway 54 (India)|NH 54]] [[Lawngtlai]] to [[Aizawl]] in [[Mizoram]].<ref name=biz1/> INR6000 crore (60 billion) was approved to further improve this Zochawchhuah–Zorinpui–Aizawl national highway.<ref name=mand2/> Lomasu to [[Lawngtlai]] is a two-lane highway in each direction (total four lanes) and Lawngtlai to [[Aizawl]]–[[Guwahati]] national highway was widened to 4 lanes in each direction (total 8 lanes).<ref name=high1>[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/myanmar-india-appoint-operator-sittwe-port-project.html India appoints post operator], ''Irrawaddy''</ref>
The estimated investment for the construction of the road is R1,600 crore. The road construction contract was awarded to Delhi-based C&C Constructions in June 2017. The road is designed to be a national highway double lanes standard. The Indian government has sanctioned R1,011.52 crore for the construction of the project.


===Complementary railway route===
The construction of 87.18kmlong road component in Mizoram side began in 2010 and is being worked by two companies – RDS Project Limited and Orisa based Atlanta ARSS (JV). About 81.12 per cent of physical work has been completed so far and 64.58 km of road has been black-topped, formation cutting of 85.41km, out of 87.18-km-long road, has also been completed. Of the eight bridges, seven are under construction and 335 out of 428 culverts have also been already completed.
{{anchor | Rail }}


This railway route will complement the river–road route of this project in Myanmar-Mizoram:
On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 km to the international border at Zorinpui. Also, a R6,000-crore project is underway for four-laning the 300-km highway from Myanmar border to Aizawl to ensure the faster movement of goods between Sittwe and Mizo capital of Aizawl in the North West which is close to the Barak Valley of Assam.


* '''Sittwe–[[Kyaukhtu]] railway in Myanmar, {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}} – exists and operational:''' This route has been operational since 2011. To integrate with other routes-network in Myanmar, it will be [[Rail transport in Myanmar#Lines under construction|further extended 311 km by 2021–22]], from Kyaukhtu in north to [[Ann, Myanmar|Ann]] in south and then south-east to [[Minbu]] where it will connect to Myanmar rail network as well as {{convert|1,215|km|abbr=on}} long [[Kyaukpyu|Kyaukpyu port]]–Minbu–Kunming high-speed railway [[Kyaukpyu#Kunming-Kyaukphyu Railway|being planned by China]].<ref>[http://www.idsa.in/backgrounder/myanmar-in-chinas-push-into-the-indian-ocean_jmpaul_120316 Myanmar in China’s Push into the Indian Ocean], Joshy M Paul, March 14, 2016, retrieved 20 January 2017</ref>
==Development==
On 19 April 2016 Indian minister [[Vijay Kumar Singh|General VK Singh]] informed that 66% of the new 2-lane-per-direction 12-meter-wide 99.83&nbsp;km [[National Highway 502 (India)|National Highway 502A]] (NH502A) starting from NH-54 at Lawngtlai to Zorinpui in Mizoram on Indian side is done and will be completed by June 2018. Other aspects of the project including the port, waterways and 109&nbsp;km Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border to Paletwa highway road in Myanmar will be completed by April 2019.<ref name=AT1>[http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr3016/oth054 Kaladan project to be completed by April 2019, Published: April 2016]</ref> Mr Lalrinngheta, a Project Site Engineer on the India side, also reported the work is ongoing.<ref name=TG1>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/27/india-myanmar-road-mizoram-tribal-areas-modi Title: India's long highway to Myanmar starts to take shape], The Guardian, Sept 2015.</ref>


* '''Kyaukhtu–Zorinpui in Myanmar, {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} – planned but not yet surveyed:''' India has future yet-unapproved plans to fund and construct this missing link.
In April 2017, the Sitwee port AND IWT Paletwa jetty were ready and operational.<ref name=miz1/> In April 2017, India handed over the operation of completed Sittwe port and Inland Water Terminal at Paletwa to Myanmar. In June 2017, India handed six gas tanker cargo vessels worth US$81.29 million (K110.08 billion) to the Myanmar government to transport gas to north-east India via [[Manipur]]. Work on the port in Sittwe and the IWT in Paletwa, Chin State, is in its final stages, and the six cargo vessels are meant to facilitate transportation of goods from Sittwe to Paletwa. The $81.29 million cost of the vessels was met through a grant from India. The construction work was assigned to IWT in October 2012, the keels were laid in March 2013 and the vessels were launched between April and December 2016. On completion of the tests and trials at Yangon, the vessels reached Sittwe in March 2017. Acceptance trials were completed in April 2017 in Sittwe.<ref name=miz1>[http://www.mizzima.com/news-domestic/six-cargo-vessels-handed-over-myanmar-india vessels handed over to Myanmar by India], Mizzima, 2 June 2017.</ref>


* '''Zochawchhuah (Zorinpui)–[[Sairang]] railway in India, {{convert|375|km|abbr=on}} – being surveyed since Aug-2017:''' Survey for the rail line from [[Sairang]] (Aizawl) to [[Hmawngbuchhuah]] on border near Zochawchhuah–Zorinpui was completed in August 2017 and it will be constructed in future phase.<ref name=railline1>[http://www.powerupconstruction.com/indias-north-east-opensthe-gateway-to-prosperity/ India's north east opened up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193859/http://www.powerupconstruction.com/indias-north-east-opensthe-gateway-to-prosperity/ |date=27 November 2018 }}, PowerUpConstruction.Com</ref>
In June 2017, 90&nbsp;km 2-lane route from Indo-Myanmar border at Zorinpui to [[Tuipang]] is almost complete. From Tuipang the national highway is being further upgraded from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane from [[National Highway 54 (India)|NH 54]] [[Lawngtlai]] to [[Aizawl]] in [[Mizoram]].<ref name=biz1/>


===Other projects – alternate route to northeast India===
In June 2017, after several upward budget revisions and troubles in finding contractors, the INR1,600-crore (US$250 million) contract has been finally awarded to an Indian company C&C construction for building 109-km road connecting IWT Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram border. The contractor would open offices at Sittwe, Paletwa and Yangon in Myanmar, mobilise men and machine during the monsoon and start construction after the monsoon in October.<ref name=biz1/>
Compared to the {{convert|1,880|km|abbr=on}} long, congested "Chicken's Neck" [[Siliguri Corridor]], this Kaladan project will almost half the distance to a mere {{convert|950|km|abbr=on}}. As an alternate route (unrelated to the Kaladan Multi-Modal project) to northeast India, India is also [[Borders of India#India–Bangladesh border|developing railway route]] from [[Cox's Bazar]] deep water port to [[South Tripura district]] by rehabilitating the railway link from [[Santirbazar]] in India to [[Feni District|Feni]] in Bangladesh, where a road and rail bridge is being built to connect the "[[Belonia, India]]–[[Parshuram Upazila|Parshuram, Bangladesh]] road and rail crossing checkposts", this will reduce traffic through Sittwe, but will provide strategically redundancy if there is a war with China.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com/world/as-smart-as-sittwe-going-north-east-by-south-east-6480951.html As Smart as Sittwe: Going North-East by South-East], ''First Post'', 2019.</ref>

As of May 2018, India has awarded all the contract for 100&nbsp;km 4-lane Aizawl-Zorinpui highway within India and 2&nbsp;km Zorinpui-Kaletwa 2-lane highway within Myanmar, which will be completed by the 2019.<ref name=update1>[https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN], Myanmar Times, May 2018.</ref><ref name=update2>[https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/north/still-under-construction-1502635461.html Still under construction], The Statesman, 13 May 2018.</ref> Though the contractor has been facing the delays and issues.<ref name=update3/>


==Travel arrangements==
==Travel arrangements==
===Zorinpui border crossing===
[[Borders of India#India–Myanmar border|Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost]] at [[Lawngtlai district#Zorinpui Integrated Check Post|Zorinpui]] in [[Lawngtlai district]], is already operational since 2017.<ref name=icp4>[https://www.google.com.sg/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&ei=lWJCWr3sLcrJvgS0ory4CA&q=zorinpui+lawngtlai+&oq=zorinpui+lawngtlai+&gs_l=psy-ab.3...5050.12763.0.13049.20.20.0.0.0.0.285.2665.0j13j2.15.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..5.10.1914...0j0i67k1j0i131k1j0i10k1j0i13k1.0.d3bPEkKCEM4 India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh], [[Times of India]], 1 Oct 2o17.</ref>


===Land border crossing and visa arrangements===
===Zorinpui border crossing and visa arrangements ===

In early 2018, visa agreement were signed for the citizens of two nations to travel by road for education, medical assistance, tourism and other purposes.<ref name=update1/><ref name=update2/> This agreement was operationalised on 9 August 2018.<ref name=mandalay1/> Indians and Myanmarese citizens with valid passport and vis can pass through two official Land Border Crossings at [[Moreh, India|Moreh]] in Manipur ([[Tamu, Myanmar|Tamu]] in [[Sagaing Region]] of Myanmar) and [[Zokhawthar]] in Mizoram ([[Rikhawdar]] in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar).<ref name=mandalay1/>
[[Borders of India#India–Myanmar border|Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost]] at [[Lawngtlai district#Zorinpui Integrated Check Post|Zorinpui]] in [[Lawngtlai district]], is already operational since 2017.<ref name=icp4>[https://www.google.com.sg/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&ei=lWJCWr3sLcrJvgS0ory4CA&q=zorinpui+lawngtlai+&oq=zorinpui+lawngtlai+&gs_l=psy-ab.3...5050.12763.0.13049.20.20.0.0.0.0.285.2665.0j13j2.15.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..5.10.1914...0j0i67k1j0i131k1j0i10k1j0i13k1.0.d3bPEkKCEM4 India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh], ''[[Times of India]]'', 1 Oct 2o17.</ref> In early 2018, visa agreement were signed for the citizens of two nations to travel by road for education, medical assistance, tourism and other purposes.<ref name=update1>[https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516112626/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/india-ramps-myanmar-ties-gain-foothold-asean.html |date=16 May 2018 }}, ''Myanmar Times'', May 2018.</ref><ref name=update2/> This agreement was operationalised on 9 August 2018.<ref name=mandalay1/> Indians and Myanma citizens with valid passport and visa can pass through two official Land Border Crossings at [[Moreh, India|Moreh]] in Manipur ([[Tamu, Myanmar|Tamu]] in [[Sagaing Region]] of Myanmar) and [[Zokhawthar]] in Mizoram ([[Rihkhawdar]] in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar).<ref name=mandalay1/>


===Motor Vehicle Agreement===
===Motor Vehicle Agreement===

In 2015, India proposed a trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the three countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Plea for Motor vehicle agrement between India and Myanmar|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/plea-for-motor-vehicle-agrement-between-india-and-myanmar/articleshow/57186840.cms|website=The Economic Times|accessdate=17 February 2017}}</ref> In May 2017, during a visit by Thai officials to Manipur, the state's Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore declared that the draft of the trilateral agreement had already been prepared.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thailand Envoy Visits Manipur|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/thailand-envoy-visits-manipur/|website=Northeast Today|accessdate=1 June 2017|date=28 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Thai delegation visits Manipur|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/thai-delegation-visits-manipur/|website=www.easternmirrornagaland.com|accessdate=1 June 2017}}</ref> As of May 2018, the signing of Motor vehicle agreement is still pending.<ref name=update2/>
In 2015, India proposed a trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the three countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plea for Motor vehicle {{sic|agrem|ent|nolink=y}} between India and Myanmar|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/plea-for-motor-vehicle-agrement-between-india-and-myanmar/articleshow/57186840.cms|website=The Economic Times|access-date=17 February 2017}}</ref> In May 2017, during a visit by Thai officials to Manipur, the state's Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore declared that the draft of the trilateral agreement had already been prepared.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thailand Envoy Visits Manipur|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/thailand-envoy-visits-manipur/|website=Northeast Today|access-date=1 June 2017|date=28 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Thai delegation visits Manipur|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/thai-delegation-visits-manipur/|website=www.easternmirrornagaland.com|date=27 May 2017 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> As of May 2018, the signing of Motor vehicle agreement is still pending.<ref name=update2/>


==Related projects==
==Related projects==
Line 81: Line 70:
Myanmar is key part of India's "Look East" policy and Kaladan project has enabled several other associated projects with ongoing development of growing list of integrated linkages.
Myanmar is key part of India's "Look East" policy and Kaladan project has enabled several other associated projects with ongoing development of growing list of integrated linkages.


===Commerce and trade ===
===Bairabi-Sairang-Hmawngbuchhuah railway===
{{main|Bairabi Sairang Railway}}


====Sittwe Special Economic Zone====
[[Indian Railway]] has already converted to broad gauge the current 84&nbsp;km railline from [[Katakhal]] (Assam) to [[Bairabi]] 2&nbsp;km inside Mizoram. Its further 51.38&nbsp;km [[Bairabi Sairang Railway]] extension from [[Bairabi]] to [[Sairang]] (20&nbsp;km north of [[Aizawl]]) in Mizoram is under construction with target completion date of March 2019 as per status update in March 2016. In August 2015, India railway completed a survey for a possible new route extension from Sairang to [[Hmawngbuchhuah]]<ref name=loc1>[https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Hmawngbuchhuah,+Mizoram+796891,+India/@22.1253824,92.7494556,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x30b294c8b0f96afd:0x9819f2ba01cd3684!8m2!3d22.1486636!4d92.7711359 Hmawngbuchhuah location map]</ref> on Mizoram's southern tip on the border of Myanmar, where at nearby [[Zochachhuah]]<ref name=loc2>[https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Zochawchhuah,+Mizoram+796891,+India/@22.1308892,92.72766,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sZochachhuah,+Mizoram!3m4!1s0x30b294a35a3bdd51:0x494754a5f97f6a23!8m2!3d22.1308147!4d92.7626806 Zochachhuah location map]</ref> village the [[National Highway 502 (India)]] (part of ''Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project'') enters Myanmar, leaving a possibility open for yet-unplanned future rail connections to Paletwa.<ref name=IE2>[http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-new-northeast-expresses/#sthash.H3U77Y0L.dpuf Massive push to railway infrastructure under way in Northeast]</ref><ref name=IE1>[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/sanctioned-in-2000-broad-gauge-train-reaches-mizoram-after-16-years/ Sanctioned in 2000, broad-gauge train reaches Mizoram after 16 years]</ref>


Sittwe Special Economic Zone (Sittwe SEZ) at Ponnagyun town was announced by India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs [[V. K. Singh|V K Singh]] at the India-[[ASEAN]] Foreign Ministers meet at Laos in August 2016. The 1000 acre SEZ will be built {{convert|60|km|mi}} north from Sittwe upstream of [[Kaladan River]] at Ponnagyun town. China is building a rival [[Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone]] and port {{convert|80|km|mi}} south of Sittwe.
===Sittwe Special Economic Zone===
<ref name=sez1>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-planning-to-set-up-sez-in-myanmars-sittwe/articleshow/53496839.cms "India planning to set up SEZ in Myanmar's Sittwe"], ''[[The Economic Times]]'', 2 August 2016.</ref><ref name=biz1/>
Sittwe Special Economic Zone (Sittwe SEZ) at Ponnagyun town was announced by India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs [[Vijay Kumar Singh|V K Singh]] at the India-[[ASEAN]] Foreign Ministers meet at Laos in August 2016. The 1000 acre SEZ will be built {{convert|60|km|mi}} north from Sittwe upstream of [[Kaladan River]] at Ponnagyun town. China is building a rival [[Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone]] and port {{convert|80|km|mi}} south of Sittwe.
<ref name=sez1>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-planning-to-set-up-sez-in-myanmars-sittwe/articleshow/53496839.cms "India planning to set up SEZ in Myanmar's Sittwe."], [[The Economic Times|Economic Times]], 2 August 2016.</ref><ref name=biz1/>


===Sitwe-Gaya Gas Pipeline===
===Energy ===

There is also to a proposal to build 1,575&nbsp;km long Sittwe-Aizawl-Silchar-Guwahati-Siliguri-Gaya gas pipeline to transport gas from Sittwe gas field where [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation|ONGC]] and [[GAIL (India) Limited|GAIL]] hold 30 percent stake in oil and gas exploration.<ref name=ongc1>Alexis Rieffel, 2010, [https://books.google.com/books?id=FQsErroCfzsC&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&dq=sittwe+port+development&source=bl&ots=uK13sutvBa&sig=0Qc0dv1eH0kygl63yhXtQbbpLhI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiF7O2gsOnVAhUPT48KHSAEBYQ4ChDoAQhZMAs#v=onepage&q=sittwe%20port%20development&f=false "Myanmar/Burma: Inside Challenges, Outside Interests"], Brookings Institution Press, pp139, {{ISBN|0815705069}}.</ref>
====Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project====


===Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project===
Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project(TCHP) is an 1800 megawatt, two dam project being built and financed by India on [[Chindwin River]] in [[Rakhine State]] of Myanmar, a 1,200 megawatt dam at Thamanthi (Manthi) and 600 megawatt dam at Shwejaye. The electricity produced will be supplied to Manipur state of India.<ref name=ongc1/>
Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project(TCHP) is an 1800 megawatt, two dam project being built and financed by India on [[Chindwin River]] in [[Rakhine State]] of Myanmar, a 1,200 megawatt dam at Thamanthi (Manthi) and 600 megawatt dam at Shwejaye. The electricity produced will be supplied to Manipur state of India.<ref name=ongc1/>


====Sittwe–Gaya gas pipeline====
===India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway===

There is also to a proposal to build {{convert|1,575|km|abbr=on}} long Sittwe–Aizawl–Silchar–Guwahati–Siliguri–Gaya gas pipeline to transport gas from Sittwe gas field where [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation|ONGC]] and [[GAIL (India) Limited|GAIL]] hold 30 percent stake in oil and gas exploration.<ref name=ongc1>Alexis Rieffel, 2010, [https://books.google.com/books?id=FQsErroCfzsC&dq=sittwe+port+development&pg=PA139 "Myanmar/Burma: Inside Challenges, Outside Interests"], Brookings Institution Press, pp139, {{ISBN|0815705069}}.</ref>

===Highways ===

==== Agartala–Feni–Chittagong Highway ====

Indian has decided to build an INR130 crore (US$20 million) bridge over the [[Feni River]] at the [[Tripura]]-Bangladesh border to connect the existing [[National Highway 8 (India)|NH8]] [[Agartala]]–[[Sabroom]] on Indian side to [[Chittagong]] port in Bangladesh {{convert|80|km|abbr=on}} from South Tripura. In February 2017, the project was in tendering stage.<ref name=hindub1/>

====Aizawl–Tuipang National Highway 4-laning ====

In June 2017, to ensure faster movement of goods between Sittwe and Mizoram capital of Aizawl in the North West which is close to the Barak Valley of Assam, India started an INR6,000-crore upgrade of current 2-lane {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} Aizawl–Tuipang national highway to all-weather four-laning of international standard, the tender will be floated in September and construction contract will be awarded by December 2017 after the ongoing land acquisition is complete.<ref name=biz1/> The upgrade of 52-km long road from Tuipang to Myanmar border, from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane highway, is also included in this {{convert|352|km|abbr=on}} long [[National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]] (NHIDCL) project.<ref name=nhmani1>[https://thenortheasttoday.com/new-mizoram-myanmar-352-km-national-highway-all-set-to-boost-trade-and-economy-in-the-region/ New Mizoram–Myanmar 352 Km national highway all set to boost trade and economy in the region], ''The North East Today'', 21 August 2017.</ref>

====India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway====
{{main|India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway}}
{{main|India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway}}
The India–Myanmar–Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway (Friendship Highway) is a highway under construction that will connect [[Moreh, India|Moreh]], India with [[Mae Sot]], Thailand via [[Myanmar]].<ref name="Tripoto">{{cite web | title=All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip - Myths & Reality | website=Tripoto | url=https://www.tripoto.com/trip/india-delhi-to-thailand-bangkok-by-road | date=11 September 2015 | accessdate=20 September 2015}}</ref> The road is expected to boost trade and commerce in the [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]], as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia. India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.<ref>http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160810/jsp/northeast/story_101585.jsp</ref> The proposed approx {{convert|3,200|km|mi|abbr=on}} route from India to Vietnam is known as the '''East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC)'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand|url=http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-road-project-hooks-1-8-billion-baht-from-thailand.html|website=The Irrawaddy|accessdate=12 February 2017|date=2 February 2017}}</ref>


The India–Myanmar–Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway (Friendship Highway) is a highway under construction that will connect [[Moreh, India|Moreh]], India with [[Mae Sot]], Thailand via [[Myanmar]].<ref name="Tripoto">{{cite web | title=All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip–Myths & Reality | website=Tripoto | url=https://www.tripoto.com/trip/india-delhi-to-thailand-bangkok-by-road | date=11 September 2015 | access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The road is expected to boost trade and commerce in the [[ASEAN–India Free Trade Area]], as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia. India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160810/jsp/northeast/story_101585.jsp |title=Highway pact after car rally |website=www.telegraphindia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811161544/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160810/jsp/northeast/story_101585.jsp |archive-date=2016-08-11}} </ref> The proposed approx {{convert|3,200|km|mi|abbr=on}} route from India to Vietnam is known as the '''East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC)'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand|url=http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-road-project-hooks-1-8-billion-baht-from-thailand.html|website=The Irrawaddy|access-date=12 February 2017|date=2 February 2017}}</ref>
=== Agartala-Feni-Chittagong Highway ===
Indian has decided to build an INR130 crore (US$20 million) bridge over the [[Feni River]] at the [[Tripura]]-Bangladesh border to connect the existing [[National Highway 8 (India)|NH8]] [[Agartala]]-[[Sabroom]] on Indian side to [[Chittagong]] port in Bangladesh 80&nbsp;km from South Tripura. In February 2017, the project was in tendering stage.<ref name=hindub1/>


===India–Myanmar Zokhawthar-Rihkwadar-Kalemyo Highway===
====Paletwa–Cikha–India Highway ====
India–Myanmar Zokhawthar-Rihkwadar-Kalemyo Highway will provide second connection to the [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]] (IMT), between [[National Highway 102B (India)|NH102B]] [[Zokhawthar]] Indian border village of [[Champhai]] district in east Mizoram to Rihkwadar border town in Myanmar, connecting it to IMT 120&nbsp;km away at [[Kalemyo]],<ref name=hindub1>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/7500crore-road-network-to-boost-northeast-economy/article9559199.ece 7,500-crore road network to boost North-East economy], [[The Hindu]], 24 February 2017.</ref> where it will connect to the IMT at Kalemyo.<ref name=mandalay1/>


Paletwa–Cikha–India Highway Project is a INR 20 billion (US$315 million) {{convert|645|km|abbr=on}} long under construction [[Paletwa]]–[[Cikha]] road highway in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar, which will also be connected to the Indian border on two places, Paletwa to [[National Highway 502 (India)|NH502]] [[Zochachhuah]] border village<ref name=loc2/> of [[Lawngtlai district]] in south-most Mizoram (main road route of Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport project) and at [[Khenman]] (Myanmar) to [[National Highway 502A (India)|NH102B]] [[Behiang]] border village of [[Churachandpur]] district in southernmost Manipur. On 21 April 2016, [[Chin State]] Chief Minister Pu Lian Luai in Myanmar informed that the project is funded by Indian government, which will connect Paletwa in southern Chin state to Cikha (also misspelt as Chikha in Indian media) sub-town in northern Chin state. New roads will also be built to connect the Paletwa-Chikha highway to villages and towns in Chin state.<ref name=Miz1>[http://mizzima.com/news-domestic/construction-chikha-paletwa-highway-priority Construction of Chikha to Paletwa Highway a priority], ''Mizzima'', April 2016</ref>
===Paletwa-Cikha-India Highway Project===
Paletwa-Cikha-India Highway Project is a INR 20 billion (US$315 million) 645&nbsp;km long under construction [[Paletwa]]-[[Cikha]] road highway in [[Chin State]] of Myanmar, which will also be connected to the Indian border on two places, Paletwa to [[National Highway 502 (India)|NH502]] [[Zochachhuah]] border village<ref name=loc2/> of [[Lawngtlai district]] in south-most Mizoram (main road route of Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport project) and at [[Khenman]] (Myanmar) to [[National Highway 502A (India)|NH102B]] [[Behiang]] border village of [[Churachandpur]] district in southern-most Manipur. On 21 April 2016, [[Chin State]] Chief Minister Pu Lian Luai in Myanmar informed that the project is funded by Indian government, which will connect Paletwa in southern Chin state to Cikha (also misspelt as Chikha in Indian media) sub-town in northern Chin state. New roads will also be built to connect the Paletwa-Chikha highway to villages and towns in Chin state.<ref name=Miz1>[http://mizzima.com/news-domestic/construction-chikha-paletwa-highway-priority Construction of Chikha to Paletwa Highway a priority], Mizzima, April 2016]</ref>


===4-laning of Aizawl-Tuipang National Highway===
==== Zokhawthar–Rihkhawdar–Kalemyo Highway====
In June 2017, to ensure faster movement of goods between Sittwe and Mizoram capital of Aizawl in the North West which is close to the Barak Valley of Assam, India started an INR6,000-crore upgrade of current 2-lane 300&nbsp;km Aizawl-Tuipang national highway to all-weather four-laning of international standard, the tender will be floated in September and construction contract will be awarded by December 2017 after the ongoing land acquisition is complete.<ref name=biz1/> The upgrade of 52-km long road from Tuipang to Myanmar border, from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane highway, is also included in this 352&nbsp;km long [[National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]] (NHIDCL) project.<ref name=nhmani1>[https://thenortheasttoday.com/new-mizoram-myanmar-352-km-national-highway-all-set-to-boost-trade-and-economy-in-the-region/ New Mizoram- Myanmar 352 Km national highway all set to boost trade and economy in the region], The North East Today, 21 August 2017.</ref>


India–Myanmar Zokhawthar–Rihkhawdar–Kalemyo Highway will provide second connection to the [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]] (IMT), between [[National Highway 102B (India)|NH102B]] [[Zokhawthar]] Indian border village of [[Champhai]] district in east Mizoram to Rihkhawdar border town in Myanmar, connecting it to IMT {{convert|120|km|abbr=on}} away at [[Kalemyo]],<ref name=hindub1>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/7500crore-road-network-to-boost-northeast-economy/article9559199.ece 7,500-crore road network to boost North-East economy], ''[[The Hindu]]'', 24 February 2017.</ref> where it will connect to the IMT at Kalemyo.<ref name=mandalay1/>
==See also==


===Railway===
; Exclusive economic zones
* [[Exclusive economic zone of India]]
* [[Exclusive economic zone of Indonesia]]
* [[Exclusive economic zone of Malaysia]]
* [[Exclusive economic zone of Thailand]]


====Bairabi-Sairang-Hmawngbuchhuah railway====
; Nearby major port projects
{{main|Bairabi Sairang Railway}}

[[Indian Railways]] has already converted to broad gauge the current {{convert|84|km|abbr=on}} rail line from [[Katakhal]] (Assam) to [[Bairabi]] {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} inside Mizoram. Its further {{convert|51.38|km|abbr=on}} [[Bairabi Sairang Railway]] extension from Bairabi to [[Sairang]] ({{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Aizawl]]) in Mizoram is under construction with target completion date of March 2019 as per status update in March 2016. In August 2015, India railway completed a survey for a possible new route extension from Sairang to [[Hmawngbuchhuah]]<ref name=loc1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Hmawngbuchhuah,+Mizoram+796891,+India/@22.1253824,92.7494556,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x30b294c8b0f96afd:0x9819f2ba01cd3684!8m2!3d22.1486636!4d92.7711359|title=Hmawngbuchhuah · Mizoram 796891, India|website=Hmawngbuchhuah · Mizoram 796891, India}}</ref> on Mizoram's southern tip on the border of Myanmar, where at nearby [[Zochachhuah]]<ref name=loc2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Zochawchhuah,+Mizoram+796891,+India/@22.1308892,92.72766,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sZochachhuah,+Mizoram!3m4!1s0x30b294a35a3bdd51:0x494754a5f97f6a23!8m2!3d22.1308147!4d92.7626806|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref> village the [[National Highway 502 (India)|National Highway 502]] (part of ''Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project'') enters Myanmar, leaving a possibility open for yet-unplanned future rail connections to Paletwa.<ref name=IE2>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-new-northeast-expresses/|title=Massive push to railway infrastructure under way in Northeast|date=22 July 2016}}</ref><ref name=IE1>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/sanctioned-in-2000-broad-gauge-train-reaches-mizoram-after-16-years/|title=Sanctioned in 2000, broad-gauge train reaches Mizoram after 16 years|date=21 March 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
; Nearby major port projects
* [[Sabang, Indonesia|Sabang strategic port development]], India-Indonesia project
* [[Sabang, Indonesia|Sabang strategic port development]], India-Indonesia project
* [[Dawei Port Project]] in Myanmar
* [[Dawei Port Project]] in Myanmar
* [[India–Myanmar_barrier#Look-East_Connectivity|India's Look-East Connectivity projects]]
* [[India–Myanmar barrier#Look-East Connectivity|India's Look-East Connectivity projects]]


; Regional projects
; Regional projects
* [[India–Myanmar_barrier#Look-East_Connectivity|India's Look-East Connectivity projects]]
* [[India–Myanmar barrier#Look-East Connectivity|India's Look-East Connectivity projects]]
* [[Ministry_of_Development_of_North_Eastern_Region#Northeast_India_connectivity_projects|India's Northeast Connectivity projects]]
* [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region#Northeast India connectivity projects|India's Northeast Connectivity projects]]
* [[Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation#BIMSTEC Priority Sectors|BIMSTEC projects]]
* [[Bay_of_Bengal_Initiative_for_Multi-Sectoral_Technical_and_Economic_Cooperation#BIMSTEC_priority_sectors|BIMSTEC projects]]
* [[Mekong-Ganga Cooperation]]
* [[Mekong-Ganga Cooperation]]
* [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]]
* [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway]]
Line 150: Line 148:
[[Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in India]]
[[Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in India]]
[[Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Mizoram]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mizoram]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mizoram]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Rakhine State]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Rakhine State]]

Latest revision as of 01:12, 14 December 2024

Route map of the transport project

The Kaladan Road Project[1] (Burmese: ကုလားတန်မြစ်ကြောင်း ဘက်စုံဖွံ့ဖြိုးရေး စီမံကိန်း) is a US$484 million project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa in Chin State via the Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India. All components of the project, including Sittwe port and power, river dredging, Paletwa jetty, have been completed,[2][3] except the under construction Zorinpui-Paletwa road.[4] Originally, the project was scheduled to be completed by 2014, but end-to-end project is expected to be fully operational only by December 2023 as per November 2023 update.[4]

The route of the project around Paletwa and along the Kaladan river is troubled with Chin conflict, Rohingya conflict and militant groups such as Arakan Army and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).[5][6] Among these the ARSA, created by Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Toiba and has links with Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen in Bangladesh and the Indian Mujahideen in India,[7] was behind the mass killing of Hindu Burmese Indians in the Kha Maung Seik massacre.[8][9]

Paletwa is less than 20 km (12 mi) from the Bangladesh border.

History

[edit]

This project will reduce distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately 1,328 km (825 mi) and will reduce the need to transport goods through the narrow Siliguri corridor, also known as Chicken's Neck.

Initially India had tried to persuade Bangladesh to offer transport and transit rights to the northeastern states.[10] However, Bangladesh has consistently refused to grant such rights, including access to its Chittagong port, which is less than 200 km (120 mi) away from Agartala, the capital of Tripura.[11]

The project is being piloted and funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (India). The preliminary feasibility studies were carried out by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES). Construction work on Sittwe port and the boat jetty in Paletwa, as well as the dredging work, will be executed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), with Essar Projects Ltd, a division of the Essar Group appointed in May 2010 as the main contractor.[12]

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project initially faced problems such as underestimation of the road length in Myanmar and plans to construct hydro-electric projects — Chhimtuipui River and Lungleng River — on two tributaries of the Kaladan River followed by another project downstream. That the first two projects are being built by one public sector undertaking and the third is being constructed by another PSU (Public Sector Unit) has also led to coordination issues. Due to construction of this hydro electrical projects, navigation of boats could be effected.[13]

In April 2017, the Sittwe port and IWT Paletwa jetty were ready and operational.[14] In April 2017, India handed over the operation of completed Sittwe port and Inland Water Terminal at Paletwa to Myanmar. In June 2017, India handed six gas tanker cargo vessels worth US$81.29 million (K110.08 billion) to the Myanmar government to transport gas to north-east India via Manipur. Work on the port in Sittwe and the IWT in Paletwa, Chin State, is in its final stages, and the six cargo vessels are meant to facilitate transportation of goods from Sittwe to Paletwa. The $81.29 million cost of the vessels was met through a grant from India. The construction work was assigned to IWT in October 2012, the keels were laid in March 2013 and the vessels were launched between April and December 2016. On completion of the tests and trials at Yangon, the vessels reached Sittwe in March 2017. Acceptance trials were completed in April 2017 in Sittwe.[14]

In June 2017, after several upward budget revisions and troubles in finding contractors, the INR1,600-crore (US$250 million) contract has been finally awarded to an Indian company C&C construction for building 109-km road connecting IWT Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram border. The contractor would open offices at Sittwe, Paletwa and Yangon in Myanmar, mobilise men and machine during the monsoon and start construction after the monsoon in October.[15]

Route

[edit]

Sea–river–road route

[edit]

The project has several sections combining multi-modes of transport:[16]

  • Kolkata-Sittwe shipping route - 539 km (335 mi) from seaport of Kolkata in India to Sittwe seaport in Myanmar via Bay of Bengal. This sea route has been operational for several decades. Port upgrade, from 20,000 ton vessels to 40,000 ton capacity vessels, has been completed.
  • Sittwe seaport to Paletwa inland jettyriver boat route - 158 km (98 mi)' from Sittwe seaport to Inland Water Terminal (IWT) and hydro power project at Paletwa jetty via Kaladan river in Myanmar. River dredging and jetty upgrade completed in June 2017.[15][17] There is at least one river lock for navigation.[18] Six barges of 300 ton capacity each were handed over to Myanmar by the government of India.[19] Completed.[2]
    Sittwe Special Economic Zone at Ponnagyun town 60 kilometres (37 mi) north from Sittwe upstream of Kaladan River at Ponnagyun town is being built by India on 1000 acres.[20][15]
  • Paletwa inland jetty to Zorinpui road route in Myanmar - 108 km (67 mi) two-lane in each direction (4 lanes total) road route from IWT Paletwa to Zochawchhuah(India)–Zorinpui (Myanmar) at Indo-Myanmar border in Myanmar. Construction contract of INR1600 crore (16 billion) was awarded to Ircon in June 2017,[15][21] and construction commenced in April 2018,[22] after all the necessary approvals were granted by the Myanmar govt in January 2018.[21] Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui has been operational since 2017.[23]
    • Package-I: Paletwa inland jetty to Kaletwa road route in Myanmar - 67 km (42 mi) is Complete as per March 2024 update.[23][24]
    • Package-II: Kaletwa to Zorinpui road route in Myanmar - 48.5 km (30.1 mi) is under construction as per March 2024 update, militants in control of the area have assured cooperation and security for the completion of the road.[25][24]
  • Zorinpui to Aizawl road route in India - 110 km (68 mi) from Indo-Myanmar border at Zorinpui to Aizawl. From Aizawl it connect to Aizawl-Saiha National Highway at Lawngtlai in Mizoram, India by road on National Highway 54 (India) (NH-54), which then continues further to Dabaka in Assam via 850 km (530 mi) long NH-54 which in turn is part of the larger East–West Corridor connecting North East India with the rest of India.[26][15] Complete as per March 2024 update.[24][23]
    Note: The 90 km (56 mi) 2-lane route from Indo-Myanmar border at Zochawchhuah-Zorinpui to Tuipang is complete. From Tuipang, the national highway wass further upgraded from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane from NH 54 Lawngtlai to Aizawl in Mizoram.[15] INR6000 crore (60 billion) was approved to further improve this Zochawchhuah–Zorinpui–Aizawl national highway.[21] Lomasu to Lawngtlai is a two-lane highway in each direction (total four lanes) and Lawngtlai to Aizawl–Guwahati national highway was widened to 4 lanes in each direction (total 8 lanes).[27]

Complementary railway route

[edit]

This railway route will complement the river–road route of this project in Myanmar-Mizoram:

  • Kyaukhtu–Zorinpui in Myanmar, 200 km (120 mi) – planned but not yet surveyed: India has future yet-unapproved plans to fund and construct this missing link.
  • Zochawchhuah (Zorinpui)–Sairang railway in India, 375 km (233 mi) – being surveyed since Aug-2017: Survey for the rail line from Sairang (Aizawl) to Hmawngbuchhuah on border near Zochawchhuah–Zorinpui was completed in August 2017 and it will be constructed in future phase.[29]

Other projects – alternate route to northeast India

[edit]

Compared to the 1,880 km (1,170 mi) long, congested "Chicken's Neck" Siliguri Corridor, this Kaladan project will almost half the distance to a mere 950 km (590 mi). As an alternate route (unrelated to the Kaladan Multi-Modal project) to northeast India, India is also developing railway route from Cox's Bazar deep water port to South Tripura district by rehabilitating the railway link from Santirbazar in India to Feni in Bangladesh, where a road and rail bridge is being built to connect the "Belonia, India–Parshuram, Bangladesh road and rail crossing checkposts", this will reduce traffic through Sittwe, but will provide strategically redundancy if there is a war with China.[30]

Travel arrangements

[edit]

Zorinpui border crossing and visa arrangements

[edit]

Integrated Customs & Immigration Checkpost at Zorinpui in Lawngtlai district, is already operational since 2017.[31] In early 2018, visa agreement were signed for the citizens of two nations to travel by road for education, medical assistance, tourism and other purposes.[32][2] This agreement was operationalised on 9 August 2018.[22] Indians and Myanma citizens with valid passport and visa can pass through two official Land Border Crossings at Moreh in Manipur (Tamu in Sagaing Region of Myanmar) and Zokhawthar in Mizoram (Rihkhawdar in Chin State of Myanmar).[22]

Motor Vehicle Agreement

[edit]

In 2015, India proposed a trilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles among the three countries.[33] In May 2017, during a visit by Thai officials to Manipur, the state's Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore declared that the draft of the trilateral agreement had already been prepared.[34][35] As of May 2018, the signing of Motor vehicle agreement is still pending.[2]

[edit]

Myanmar is key part of India's "Look East" policy and Kaladan project has enabled several other associated projects with ongoing development of growing list of integrated linkages.

Commerce and trade

[edit]

Sittwe Special Economic Zone

[edit]

Sittwe Special Economic Zone (Sittwe SEZ) at Ponnagyun town was announced by India's Union Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh at the India-ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet at Laos in August 2016. The 1000 acre SEZ will be built 60 kilometres (37 mi) north from Sittwe upstream of Kaladan River at Ponnagyun town. China is building a rival Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone and port 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Sittwe. [20][15]

Energy

[edit]

Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project

[edit]

Thathay Chaung Hydropower Project(TCHP) is an 1800 megawatt, two dam project being built and financed by India on Chindwin River in Rakhine State of Myanmar, a 1,200 megawatt dam at Thamanthi (Manthi) and 600 megawatt dam at Shwejaye. The electricity produced will be supplied to Manipur state of India.[36]

Sittwe–Gaya gas pipeline

[edit]

There is also to a proposal to build 1,575 km (979 mi) long Sittwe–Aizawl–Silchar–Guwahati–Siliguri–Gaya gas pipeline to transport gas from Sittwe gas field where ONGC and GAIL hold 30 percent stake in oil and gas exploration.[36]

Highways

[edit]

Agartala–Feni–Chittagong Highway

[edit]

Indian has decided to build an INR130 crore (US$20 million) bridge over the Feni River at the Tripura-Bangladesh border to connect the existing NH8 Agartala–Sabroom on Indian side to Chittagong port in Bangladesh 80 km (50 mi) from South Tripura. In February 2017, the project was in tendering stage.[37]

Aizawl–Tuipang National Highway 4-laning

[edit]

In June 2017, to ensure faster movement of goods between Sittwe and Mizoram capital of Aizawl in the North West which is close to the Barak Valley of Assam, India started an INR6,000-crore upgrade of current 2-lane 300 km (190 mi) Aizawl–Tuipang national highway to all-weather four-laning of international standard, the tender will be floated in September and construction contract will be awarded by December 2017 after the ongoing land acquisition is complete.[15] The upgrade of 52-km long road from Tuipang to Myanmar border, from 2-lane to all-weather 4-lane highway, is also included in this 352 km (219 mi) long National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) project.[38]

India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway

[edit]
Main article: India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway

The India–Myanmar–Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway (Friendship Highway) is a highway under construction that will connect Moreh, India with Mae Sot, Thailand via Myanmar.[39] The road is expected to boost trade and commerce in the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia. India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.[40] The proposed approx 3,200 km (2,000 mi) route from India to Vietnam is known as the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC).[41]

Paletwa–Cikha–India Highway

[edit]

Paletwa–Cikha–India Highway Project is a INR 20 billion (US$315 million) 645 km (401 mi) long under construction Paletwa–Cikha road highway in Chin State of Myanmar, which will also be connected to the Indian border on two places, Paletwa to NH502 Zochachhuah border village[42] of Lawngtlai district in south-most Mizoram (main road route of Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport project) and at Khenman (Myanmar) to NH102B Behiang border village of Churachandpur district in southernmost Manipur. On 21 April 2016, Chin State Chief Minister Pu Lian Luai in Myanmar informed that the project is funded by Indian government, which will connect Paletwa in southern Chin state to Cikha (also misspelt as Chikha in Indian media) sub-town in northern Chin state. New roads will also be built to connect the Paletwa-Chikha highway to villages and towns in Chin state.[43]

Zokhawthar–Rihkhawdar–Kalemyo Highway

[edit]

India–Myanmar Zokhawthar–Rihkhawdar–Kalemyo Highway will provide second connection to the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMT), between NH102B Zokhawthar Indian border village of Champhai district in east Mizoram to Rihkhawdar border town in Myanmar, connecting it to IMT 120 km (75 mi) away at Kalemyo,[37] where it will connect to the IMT at Kalemyo.[22]

Railway

[edit]

Bairabi-Sairang-Hmawngbuchhuah railway

[edit]
Main article: Bairabi Sairang Railway

Indian Railways has already converted to broad gauge the current 84 km (52 mi) rail line from Katakhal (Assam) to Bairabi 2 km (1.2 mi) inside Mizoram. Its further 51.38 km (31.93 mi) Bairabi Sairang Railway extension from Bairabi to Sairang (20 km (12 mi) north of Aizawl) in Mizoram is under construction with target completion date of March 2019 as per status update in March 2016. In August 2015, India railway completed a survey for a possible new route extension from Sairang to Hmawngbuchhuah[44] on Mizoram's southern tip on the border of Myanmar, where at nearby Zochachhuah[42] village the National Highway 502 (part of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project) enters Myanmar, leaving a possibility open for yet-unplanned future rail connections to Paletwa.[45][46]

See also

[edit]
Nearby major port projects
Regional projects

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Purushothaman, Vakkom. "Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project to link sea route in Myanmar with Mizoram". The Northeast Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Still under construction, The Statesman, 13 May 2018.
  3. ^ India starts construction of ₹1,600-cr Mizoram-Myanmar Kaladan road, Business Line, 17 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b 110-km road is final challenge for long-delayed India-Myanmar Kaladan connectivity project, The Print, 29 March, 2021.
  5. ^ Buddhist refugees in Mizoram begin journey back to Myanmar, but unconfirmed tales of horror keep them on edge, First Post
  6. ^ NE Displaced people, The Wire.
  7. ^ Myanmar calling, The Telegraph
  8. ^ Naing, wa Lone, Shoon (25 September 2017). "Myanmar says bodies of 28 Hindu villagers found in Rakhine State" – via www.reuters.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Myanmar: New evidence reveals Rohingya armed group massacred scores in Rakhine State". www.amnesty.org. 22 May 2018.
  10. ^ Egreteau, Renaud (2011). "A Passage to Burma? India, Development and Democratization in Myanmar". Contemporary Politics. 17 (4): 467–486. doi:10.1080/13569775.2011.619771. S2CID 153496597.
  11. ^ Phukan, Papori. "Kaladan Multi-Modal Project In Myanmar". Manipur Online. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  12. ^ "Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project". Arakan Rivers. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  13. ^ Dikshit, Sandeep. "India-Myanmar transport project hits roadblock". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b vessels handed over to Myanmar by India, Mizzima, 2 June 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h India awards road contract to complete Kaladan project in Myanmar, Business Line, 9 June 2017.
  16. ^ Multi-modal project introduction
  17. ^ "India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN". The Myanmar Times. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  18. ^ India's connectivity to Myanmar.
  19. ^ Delay in Kaladan project, Business Standard, 2018.
  20. ^ a b "India planning to set up SEZ in Myanmar's Sittwe", The Economic Times, 2 August 2016.
  21. ^ a b c Mizoram to get connected with Sittwe port.
  22. ^ a b c d Road to Mandalay Indian Express, June 2018.
  23. ^ a b c Mizoram MP meets Myanmar militants in push to speed up work on key connectivity project, The Print, 1 Mar 2024.
  24. ^ a b c The Kaladan Transport Project Amidst the Civil War in Myanmar, IDSA, 22 July 2024. Archived August 4, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Preserving Indian Interests during Ongoing Disturbances in Myanmar. Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. Manshi Suhag. July 9, 2024. Archived December 14, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "Multi-modal route map". Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  27. ^ India appoints post operator, Irrawaddy
  28. ^ Myanmar in China’s Push into the Indian Ocean, Joshy M Paul, March 14, 2016, retrieved 20 January 2017
  29. ^ India's north east opened up Archived 27 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine, PowerUpConstruction.Com
  30. ^ As Smart as Sittwe: Going North-East by South-East, First Post, 2019.
  31. ^ India opens two border crossing points with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Times of India, 1 Oct 2o17.
  32. ^ India ramps up Myanmar ties to gain foothold in ASEAN Archived 16 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Myanmar Times, May 2018.
  33. ^ "Plea for Motor vehicle agrement [sic] between India and Myanmar". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  34. ^ "Thailand Envoy Visits Manipur". Northeast Today. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  35. ^ "Thai delegation visits Manipur". www.easternmirrornagaland.com. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  36. ^ a b Alexis Rieffel, 2010, "Myanmar/Burma: Inside Challenges, Outside Interests", Brookings Institution Press, pp139, ISBN 0815705069.
  37. ^ a b 7,500-crore road network to boost North-East economy, The Hindu, 24 February 2017.
  38. ^ New Mizoram–Myanmar 352 Km national highway all set to boost trade and economy in the region, The North East Today, 21 August 2017.
  39. ^ "All you want to know about Delhi to Bangkok Road Trip–Myths & Reality". Tripoto. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  40. ^ "Highway pact after car rally". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016.
  41. ^ "Myanmar Road Project Hooks 1.8 Billion Baht From Thailand". The Irrawaddy. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  42. ^ a b "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  43. ^ Construction of Chikha to Paletwa Highway a priority, Mizzima, April 2016
  44. ^ "Hmawngbuchhuah · Mizoram 796891, India". Hmawngbuchhuah · Mizoram 796891, India.
  45. ^ "Massive push to railway infrastructure under way in Northeast". 22 July 2016.
  46. ^ "Sanctioned in 2000, broad-gauge train reaches Mizoram after 16 years". 21 March 2016.
[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Kaladan_Multi-Modal_Transit_Transport_Project&oldid=1262986696"