India-Myanmar border land road formally opened

With the opening of the border road through Manipur’s Moreh town, Indians travelling to Myanmar would no longer require to obtain special permits.

Exchanging warm welcome on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge along the International border, the much awaited India-Myanmar border land road was formally opened on Wednesday.

Earlier, citizens of the two countries were allowed free movement up to 16 km of each other’s territory, Indians who wished to travel beyond that had to take special land permits.(HT Photo)

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, located at Manipur’s border town Moreh, 110 km south of Imphal, connects India with Myanmar’s towns. The government has already announced Moreh as an Immigration Check Post of India.

With the opening of India’s only border road through Manipur’s Moreh town, Indians travelling to Myanmar would no longer require to obtain special permits. Travellers would be issued visas provided they possess passports, said M Lakshmikumar, commissioner (Transport). Some of the travellers from India are already making use of the opportunity, the officer said. Earlier, citizens of the two countries were allowed free movement up to 16 km of each other’s territory, Indians who wished to travel beyond 16 km had to take special land permits from the Myanmar authority.

Convenor RK Shivachandra of Manipur Act East Policy Committee, additional chief secretary Suhel Akhtar,commissioner(Transport) M Lakshmikumar,special secretary Home Kh Raghumani, brigader AS Chauhan of 26 sector Assam Rifles, deputy commissioner Tengnoupal A Tombikanta and SP Tengnoupal represented the?Indian delegation at the opening gathering.

The Myanmar delegation led by its ministry of labour, immigration and population permanent secretary U Awe Lwin lincluded former secretary Myat kyaw of Saigaing Region, Myanmar, CEO Fly Myanmar Nyein Chan Soe Win, CEO Ken Tun of Parami Energy Group, editor-in-chief Soe Myint of Mizzima media,Businessman Htin Lin Aung and others.

Nandan Singh Bhaisora , consul general of India who attended the ceremony said, “This is a historic and positive beginning for both India and Myanmar to have better bilateral relations in future.” Ahead of the day’s event, convenor of Manipur’s Act East Policy committee RK Shivachandra said, “Many said Manipur is a landlocked state considering its geographical location,” said Shivachandra. But with the opening of this border road I think the state will be the land link.”