Weather-worn road on Kyaukphyu Twsp island in need of repair

By Admin 23 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 September 2023, Kyaukphyu

An important coastal road on Marazai Island in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, has been heavily damaged by mud flows during the rainy season, and residents are demanding that it be repaired as soon as possible.

Marazai Island hosts a total of 26 villages, and the road in question serves a critical function connecting residents to their healthcare, educational and social needs. Marazai Island is separated from mainland Kyaukphyu Township by the Thanzit River.

“This road is a gravel road. Since it’s the rainy season, you can’t drive on this road because the wheels get stuck in the mud. It is very difficult for motorcyclists to use the road,” said U Kyi Hla, a local man from Marazai Island’s Shwe Nyo Ma Village.

The coastal road was built by the Kyaukphyu Township Department of Road in 2015. According to Marazai islanders, the road has not been upgraded or repaired since its construction.

“We have submitted a letter to the township administrator to repair the coastal road. No budget to repair the road has been approved,” said U San Thein Chay, the administrator of Shwe Nyo Ma Village.

The 21-mile-long road connects several villages on the island, including Aungthayar, Pyonkhaung, Mauktingyi, Marazai, Kanyintaw, Lotte, Mingan, Kunchaung, Shwe Nyo Ma, Kyaukkyipyin, Pyinshae and Pyinone. Damage along the road is extensive and it is currently impassable, according to residents.

“Poor road transportation makes it more difficult for people who are sick to go to the hospital,” said Daw Poe Ei Lwin, treasurer of the Marazai Island New Generation Youths Association. “A cottage hospital has been built in Mingan Village. It takes time for people from other villages to get to the hospital in Mingan Village.”

U Oo Tin Win, the administrator of Mingan Village, said his administration has reached out to the Bridge Department about repairing the road, but nothing has been done yet.

“Local farmers are unable to repair the coastal road on a self-reliant basis due to various difficulties. It is difficult for the local people to address their health and emergency situations in a timely manner, so we need the help of the military junta to repair this road,” said U Sanay Phyu, the administrator of Kyaukkyipyin Village.

When DMG contacted the township Bridge Department about plans to repair the damaged coastal road, an official said: “The work is still weak, dependent on the availability of funds.”