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.
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.
