Blocked roads and waterways continue to vex locals in Arakan and Chin states

By DMG 04 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
4 March 2021, Rathedaung 

Arakan State residents are seeking the reopening of motorways and waterways that were initially closed for security reasons amid fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan and Chin states. 

Locals say, for example, that they are not currently allowed to use the Rathedaung-Ponnagyun road officially because it is ostensibly closed for security reasons, though there has not been fighting between the military and AA troops in the region for months. 

But Colonel Min Than, a member of the military government’s Arakan State Administration Council, told DMG: “Nothing is closed. All motorways and waterways are open now, including the Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road.” 

Adding another perspective on the situation was Ko Aung Kyaw, spokesperson for the Poe Shwee Pyin Maha Mate Social Aid Association.  

“Vehicles for healthcare, funerals and religious activities are allowed to use the road now. However, people who depend on the road for their livelihoods are facing troubles,” he said. “Some people lose their job opportunities. Traders have to pay more to transport their goods. I want all residents to [fully] use the road officially as soon as possible.” 

Before the Rathedaung-Ponnagyun road was closed, it took just 15 minutes to drive from Taw Phyar Chaung to Ponnagyun, whereas the waterway as an alternative route takes about five hours. The road has been closed for more than 10 months, locals complain. 

Residents and lawmakers have written to the relevant departments asking them to reopen the Rathedaung-Ponnagyun road. Daw Khin Saw Wai, the former Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Rathedaung Township, told DMG that the road cannot be used due to landmine risks. 

Meanwhile, the Paletwa-Kyauktaw waterway has been blocked in Chin State, pushing up commodity prices in Paletwa Township and limiting access to basic needs like healthcare due to the regional transportation difficulties, said U Aung Aung, a trader in Paletwa town. 

“When the road to Kyauktaw was closed, we had to buy goods from the towns of Pakokku and Sami. Now, we cannot buy goods from middle Myanmar due to political conditions,” he added. “An emergency patient has to be rushed to Kyauktaw. There are some cases where patients die because they cannot arrive at the hospital in time.” 

Affected locals have sent a letter to the relevant departments requesting that the Kyauktaw-Paletwa waterway be reopened, but no response has been received to date.  

DMG phoned U Soe Htet, the Chin State minister for Municipal Affairs, Electricity and Industry, seeking comment on the closure of the Kyauktaw-Paletwa waterway, but he could not be reached.