Vehicle operators say cars can now travel along the strategic route on the eastern bank of the Ayeyawady River, crossing Htigyaing Bridge on the Mandalay–Myitkyina road.
Drivers said traffic towards Myitkyina via the Htigyaing–Katha–Yinkwe Taung route began around October 14, with unrestricted travel permitted on October 15. A truck driver said checkpoints that previously opened from 9 am to 4 pm had extended their operating hours from around 6 am to 6 pm. He said heavy traffic on October 16 caused congestion and drivers competed for passage, while military personnel cleared the roads. He added that military personnel were reluctant to remain openly on the road because of drone activity and ambushes. Vehicles crossing the Ayeyawady at In Village on the eastern bank of Katha and at Kalon jetty are also facing fewer difficulties. The driver said ferry charges for trucks had fallen to around two million kyats from 2.5 million kyats previously. Reaching Myitkyina after an overnight journey now seemed almost unbelievable to drivers, he said, adding that vehicles in good condition could sometimes make the trip in a single day. He also said the most demanding checkpoints had reportedly been removed following discussions in Parliament, although drivers still had to pay informal “tea money.” He urged all armed groups not to block roads and cause hardship to the public, saying detours could result in losses of hundreds of thousands of kyats for drivers and traders, while pushing up prices for consumers.
The main route currently used to travel to Myitkyina—Mandalay–Madaya–Tagaung–Htigyaing–Katha–Mohnyin–Mogaung–Myitkyina—remains passable. However, the Mandalay–Sagaing–Shwebo–Zinbaw–Nanthe–Indaw–Mawlu–Mohnyin–Mogaung–Myitkyina route has been experiencing road damage and blockages due to detours. Clashes between military columns and armed groups have also intensified near the Htigyaing junction in the Meza area and the Meza–Wuntho junction, according to reports.
“The western route is still completely unsuitable for travel. Along the Wuntho–Meza road, there are no longer any detour routes available. People have been suffering from detours for months. The situation gradually worsened after armed groups blocked the main strategic route and forced vehicles onto alternative roads. The route through Indaw remains closed,” a driver said.
The Mandalay–Myitkyina road is approximately 350 miles long. All railway services along the route were suspended following the political changes in 2021. Since 2023, road transport has faced numerous difficulties due to detours imposed by local armed groups.
