Truck weight limited in Arakan State during rainy season due to road and bridge concerns

By DMG 02 Jul 2021

DMG Newsroom
2 July 2021, Sittwe

Only 16 tonnes of overall weight will be allowed for trucks in Arakan State during the monsoon season, according to the Thandwe District Roads and Bridges Department, which cited concerns about the structural integrity of roads and bridges in the state that require repairs.

Repairs are slated for the roads linking Minbu-Ann-Sittwe; Pyi-Taungup; Taungup-Maei-Kyaukphyu; Ngathaingchaung-Gwa; and Thandwe-Gwa, according to a statement issued by the department on June 30. Therefore, only 16 tonnes of gross truck weight, including cargo, will be allowed from July 1 to October 15, the statement added.

The department said it had to limit the gross weight to prevent roads and bridges from deteriorating further, and to avoid the kind of traffic blockages that have caused headaches for truckers and the travelling public alike in the past.

U Than Tun, a member of the Arakan State military council, said roads are damaged every year in Arakan State by flooding, landslides and other monsoon season wear and tear.

“It is not only for this year’s monsoon season. We limit [road usage] yearly like this to protect against danger,” he said.

U Tin Aung Oo, chair of the Rakhine State Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said commodity prices could rise if cargo limits exacerbate what is already a shortage of goods traded from mainland Myanmar to Arakan State.

“Prices of all commodities are increasing. And, as monsoon season has arrived, the price of a rice sack has increased from K37,000 to over K40,000. As commodity prices have risen in the mainland, prices will increase in Arakan State too.”

In June, landslides due to heavy rains caused numerous vehicle skids and traffic blockages in Arakan State.

The structural integrity of the Kissapanadi Bridge, which connects the towns of Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw, has been described as compromised by Kyauktaw locals. Likewise, the strength of Myaung Bway Bridge connecting Mrauk-U and Minbya is of concern, said a Myaung Bway local, who added that it is difficult to drive two vehicles on the bridge and construction of a concrete bridge to replace it is just 10% complete.

Photo: Myaung Bway Bridge connecting Mrauk-U and Minbya is seen in March 2021.