Construction of Gwa Chaung bridge expected to benefit trade and tourism in Arakan State

By DMG 28 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
28 September 2021, Gwa

Officials say the completion of a new bridge crossing Gwa Creek and linking Gwa Township with Magyingu, which is currently under construction, could greatly benefit trade and tourism in Arakan State.

There are only three land routes to transport goods to Arakan State, and once construction of the bridge is completed, it will offer a fourth trading route, according to the chairman of the Arakan State Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, U Tin Aung Oo.

“Currently, Arakan State can only be accessed from Minbu in Magway Region, one way from Taungup and one way from Ngathainggyaung Township in Ayeyarwady Region. Once construction of the bridge is completed, it will improve the flow of goods in Arakan State,” he said.

U Tin Aung Oo said the completion of the bridge would greatly help to transport freshwater fish, a major commodity of the border trade.

Completion of the Gwa Chaung Bridge would greatly benefit the development of tourism in Arakan State, said U Tin Tun Aung, director of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Arakan State).

“Last Thingyan [the water-throwing festival], people from Ayeyawady Region gathered on Kanthaya Beach in Gwa Township. If construction of the bridge is completed, the number of domestic visitors entering Arakan State will increase significantly,” he said.

Given the current outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic worldwide, the government aims to revive tourism with local visitors rather than foreign tourists, he added.

The Gwa Chaung Bridge’s construction is 80% complete, with the project slated for completion in March 2022.

The bridge’s pavement has reportedly been completed.

“Only the approach road and the piers of the bridge remain to be built. The inauguration of the bridge will be held in March 2022. We hope that after the construction of this bridge, Gwa will be more prosperous,” said U Hla Tint, an elder of Gwa town.

Construction of the Gwa Chaung Bridge began on November 18, 2019, and the estimated cost of the project including its approaches is K2.5 billion. The bridge is being built by Special Bridge Group-8 of the Department of Bridge, which is part of the Ministry of Construction.

The result measures 1,320 ft. in length, 24 ft. in width, and has the capacity to withstand 75 tonnes of weight. Its clearance is about 20 ft. and the waterway under the bridge is 85 ft. and has a 3 ft. long pedestrian walkway on each side.

When completed, the bridge will provide better access to education, health and business for locals in villages such as Magyingu and Kyauk Chun. Local people will be able to travel to Nga Yoke Kaung, Ngwe Saung, Chauntha, Shwe Thaungyan, Wetthay and Magyisin Villages via Kyauk Chun villages, advocates of the project say.