India built Tamu-Kalimyo road to be opened on February 13

IMPHAL, February 10: Jaswant Singh will inaugurate the Tamu-Kalimyo road, a venture undertaken by the Indian Government with an understanding with the military junta of Myanmar, on February 13 at the Bridge Gate on the Indo-Myanmar border. The construction task of the 108 km-long road was undertaken by the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) since 1997 and is in its final stage. Tight security arrangement has been made in the border town in view of the inauguration function, which will be participated by high-ranking officials of both the countries. There is also an understanding between the government of India and Myanmar authorities to introduce once-a-week bus service between Moreh town in India and Kaliwa town in Myanmar. The government of India is planning to increase the number of trade items between India and Myanmar, once the road is inaugurated. The introduction of new items may boost the border trade many folds. According to source, the process of increasing the items of trade between the two sides is in progress. The external affairs minister, Jaswant Singh is scheduled to arrive Imphal on February 12 next. He will stay at Imphal on the day of his arrival and will leave for Moreh the next day (February 13) by a special helicopter to the border town. Jaswant Singh is expected to visit Kalimyo in Myanmar, but the schedule is not yet confirmed, it said. After the external affairs minister's visit and inauguration of the road, counter-insurgency operations in the area is expected to be intensified, the source said. Meanwhile, the Molcham police station, the construction of which has been completed, is awaiting inauguration. The deplorable road condition leading to the police station is said to be the reason behind the delay in its inauguration. The road will be worse during the rainy season, the source added.