Urgent call for Construction Ministry and military engineers to restore roads and bridges to pristine condition

 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stressed that railway tracks damaged by the earthquake should be repaired as soon as possible to resume train operations.

 

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing gave necessary guidance at the special meeting to promptly conduct rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the earthquake-affected areas, at the parlour of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services yesterday early morning. Meeting attendees reported on ongoing rescue and relief operations in the affected areas, and offers of foreign countries to send their relief aid, rescue squads and medical teams to Myanmar.

 

In his response to the reports, the Senior General said that the reconstruction efforts following the earthquake must be carried out in three main phases such as clearing and removing debris from collapsed buildings and damaged struc­tures, systematically disman­tling and removing partially collapsed buildings to prevent further hazards and rebuild­ing and reconstruction. Efforts must be made to restore roads, bridges, and government-owned buildings damaged by the earthquake. Significant finan­cial resources, manpower, and machinery must be utilized to ensure the success of these reconstruction projects. It is necessary to provide support for private construction pro­jects. Therefore, when seeking international assistance, it is important to include requests for the necessary construction materials required for recon­struction. In the field of build­ing insurance, systematic ver­ification of existing insurance coverage should be conducted to ensure the acquisition of in­surance compensation.

 

It is necessary to arrange suitable accommodation and food for international rescue teams. Efforts must also be made to restore communication routes to their original state as quickly as possible. Urgent res­toration work is required for the collapsed Inwa rail-cum-bridge on the old Sagaing-Mandalay road, and waterway transport must be reopened promptly. Other railway tracks damaged by the earthquake should be repaired as soon as possible to resume train operations. Dam­aged airport runways must be repaired and reopened quickly to enhance the efficiency of res­cue operations. The Ministry of Construction and the Directo­rate of Military Engineers have to make collaborative efforts to restore damaged roads and bridges to their original state as quickly as possible. Further­more, heavy trucks unable to transport large quantities of es­sential supplies should be quick­ly deployed to earthquake-af­fected areas.

 

It is necessary to carry out restoration projects in a system­atic and well-planned manner to ensure the long-term sustain­ability and stability of ancient cultural heritage structures that have been damaged. Approximately 40 per cent of the Mandalay Royal Palace’s walls have suffered damage. During restoration efforts, it is important to preserve the original design and use high-quality, standard bricks to repair the walls, ensuring that the work is completed before the rainy season. Appropriate arrangements should be made to ensure that all monks in Mandalay have sufficient provisions, including food and other necessary supplies.

 

It is necessary to take lessons from the recent earthquake damage and ensure that bridges and buildings are constructed systematically to meet disaster-resilient standards. Moreover, earthquake-related data and incidents should be systematically recorded and released.

 

The Senior General instructed that in distributing relief and support supplies, a systematic record must be maintained to ensure that all earthquake victims and those who are rightfully entitled receive the necessary aid for the convenience of victims. All officials must meticulously compile records on the supply of relief aid to prevent duplication and to ensure fairness so that no one is left out. Furthermore, extensive efforts will be required for rehabilitation, and priority tasks should be carried out as quickly as possible.

 

The meeting was also attended by National Disaster Management Committee Chairman SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the Council Secretary, the Joint Secretary, and the Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. – MNA/TTA