Dhaka, Feb 8: Bangladesh and Myanmar have finalised the route for establishing a direct road link between Dhaka and Yangon, reports here say.

The technical task forces of both the countries have agreed to develop a 130-km road from Ramu in Cox's Bazar to Kyauktaw in Myanmar, The Daily Star reported Tuesday.

The route would be developed as part of the Asian Highway projects to have road links between neighbouring Thailand, China and other Asian countries. The Asian Highway would link 42 countries in Asia with Europe via Turkey.

The route for the road between Bangladesh and Myanmar was finalised at a recent meeting of experts from both the countries in Yangon.

"We have completed all technical aspects of the project. Now we need the finance ministry's approval for funds," the newspaper quoted a communications ministry official, who attended the meeting in Yangon, as saying.

"If both the countries agree on financial grounds, we can immediately start construction work on the project. And, if everything goes alright, the procedure for the project may start from next month," he added.

It was estimated that the project would cost 1.36 billion taka, of which 860 million taka would be spent for the Myanmar side and 47 million for the Bangladesh side. The project cost in the Myanmar side would be higher because the area is hilly and the road there would require some long bridges and culverts.

Out of 130 km of road necessary to establish the link, 43 km would be built in the first phase.
Courtesy Indo-Asian News Service