With fighting taking place in nearby areas of Kawkareik township, Kayin State, Myawady border trade route remains closed and trucks aren’t allowed to use Htawkkoko road, according to cargo truck drivers.

On December 1, a clash broke out between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) troops and its allied forces and security forces in Kawkareik. There were civilian deaths due to the explosion of heavy weapon shells in the residential areas of the town and Myawady border trade route has been closed temporarily.

Although some emergency passenger buses and trucks used to travel on Myawady-Htowkkoko-Nabu-Hteelon road, trucks weren’t allowed to use Htowkkoko road today.

“The vehicles leaving to Myawady from Mawlamyine are allowed. But, cargo vehicles weren’t allowed. We didn’t know about the block of the trucks. If cargo vehicles will not be allowed, the commodities prices will go up. Now, the prices have already gone up,” said the driver from Myawady- Mawlamyine Passenger Transport. 

He also said that it is summer season. Tthe roads are not as bad as in the previous rainy season and fees of tollgate are also lower than the previous rainy season.

It is also reported that there is a shortage of some locally produced products in the market area of Myawady town due to the traffic stoppage from the new Asia road over Dawna Taungkyaw Road which is important for border trade. 

Border trade is still suspended for fourth day as cargo vehicles and passenger buses weren’t allowed to travel on Myawady Dawna Taungkyaw road.