INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KOLKATA: The trilateral highway connecting Bangkok with Kolkata, as part of BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation) project, could be ready in the next three to four years, said commerce minsters of the various countries
and provinces of this region attending the business conclave organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the ministry of external
affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.The trilateral highway, as per the proposed project plan, will start from Bangkok and would go through cities like
Sukhothai, Mae Sot in Thailand, Yangon, Mandalay, Kalewa, Tamu in Myanmar before reaching India
In India, it is likely to go through Moreh, Kohima, Guwahati, Srirampur, Siliguri to Kolkata
The total distance would be little over 2,800 km
The longest stretch of this highway would be in India with the smallest stretch in Thailand
The Thailand portion of the highway has already been completed, said Thai vice minister of foreign affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi, while the
Myanmar commerce minister, Aung Naing Oo, stated that the portion of the highway in his country is likely to be ready in three years
Isarabhakdi said that the trilateral road connectivity up to Kolkata is on track
"The highway, set to start in Bangkok, will conclude in Kolkata
As far as the Thailand portion is concerned, the highway is almost complete." According to the Thai minister, a lot depends on Myanmar as
well as the Indian portion
He pointed out that the total stretch of the highway could be over 2,500 kilometres
The Myanmar commerce minister told TOI that it has restarted work on the trilateral highway
"I guess it would be two-three years," he added
Commerce and industries minister Shashi Panja, who was present at the conclave, said that the state is looking forward to this road link
