State Counsellor launches Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala) project
25 Dec 18 - Source: Global New Light Of Myanmar - State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attended a ground breaking ceremony to launch construction of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge in Dala, Yangon Region yesterday.
At the ceremony, the State Counsellor pressed a button to drive a pile to launch the project.
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrived at the project area in Dala by watercraft at 8:10 am and was warmly welcomed by the local people.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Union Minister for Construction U Han Zaw spoke about the Myanmar-Korea Friendship Bridge (Dala) project, the type and the benefits which can be gained from the bridge upon completion.
Afterwards, Mr. Kim Hyun Chul, senior economic adviser of the Republic of Korea and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy, spoke about Republic of Korea's cooperation efforts in developing economic, social and infrastructure sectors
in Myanmar.
Afterwards, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, U Thant Sin Maung, U Han Zaw, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Chair of the Pyithu Hluttaw Health and Sports Development Committee Dr. Sein Mya Aye, Chairman of the Amyotha Hluttaw Local and Foreign Labour Affairs Committee U Kyaw Htwe and Korean Ambassador Mr. Lee Sang Hwa drove stakes at designated places.
Following that, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Mr. Kim Hyun Chul participated in a ceremony to drive a pile at the auspicious time and sprinkled scented water on it.
Afterwards, the State Counsellor, Union Ministers, Yangon Region Chief Minister, chairpersons of the Hluttaw committees, Mr. Kim Hyun Chul, senior economic adviser of the Republic of Korea and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy, Korean Ambassador Mr. Lee Sang Hwa and workers of the Ministry of Construction posed for documentary photos.
Afterwards, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi cordially greeted those present at the opening ceremony.
The bridge is a type of Cable Stayed Bridge and it will be 6,144 ft long and will have a water clearance of 160 ft height and it can withstand 75 tons of loads upon completion.
The cost of the project is to be over US$168 million, of which US$137.833 million will come from a loan from South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund and US$30.341 million will come from the Union Government of Myanmar.
Upon its completion, the bridge will provide quicker access between Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and Rakhine State.
Besides, the bridge will give a boost to traffic and trade flow between Yangon and several townships including Dala, Twantay, Kawhmu and Kungyangon and it will narrow the development gap in western areas of Yangon Region.
The launching ceremony was attended by Union Ministers Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Dr. Pe Myint, U Min Thu, U Thant Sin Maung, U Win Khaing and U Han Zaw, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region Hluttaw Speaker, chairmen of the Hluttaw affairs committees, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin, ministers of the Yangon Region Government, MPs of Yangon Region Hluttaw, departmental heads, and officials of the ROK and local people. — MNA
