MP calls for focus on constructing and upgrading inter-village roads

MP calls for focus on constructing and upgrading inter-village roads
Published 19 February 2019
Sithu

A member of Lower House Parliament has submitted a proposal calling for special attention to constructing and upgrading village-to-village roads in the states of Myanmar including townships with poor transport.

MP Nay Lin Aung put forward the motion during a parliament session of the Lower House held in Nay Pyi Taw on February 18.

"There are 63,729 villages across the country and about 70 percent of the population is from rural areas. It is very important for the development of rural people. Rural development is a contributing factor for national progress. For rural development, it is important to have village-to-village roads to ensure socio-economic progress. Lack of good transport poses a barrier to socio-economy development. I think my motion needs approval," said the lawmaker.

He also blamed social, economic and educational hardships such as high cost of living, few chances to pursue education and stagnant commodity flow for poor transport.

Myanmar has about 60,000 miles of rural roads, among which only 6 percent is concrete or tar, 28 percent gravel or red earth roads and 66 percent earthen roads. About one fifth of village roads can have links between each other only in summer. That means over 15 million people in the country have to feel separated as they have no all-weather roads, the MP revealed.

The parliament agreed to discuss the motion.