VICE President and National Tourism Development Central Committee Chairman U Henry Van Thio, accompanied by Union Ministers Dr Myo Thein Gyi and U Ohn Maung, Deputy Ministers Major General Than Htut, U Kyaw Myo, U Myint Kyaing, and officials, left Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday and arrived in Kalay, Sagaing Region.
The Vice President and party were greeted at Kalay airport by Chin State Chief Minister Salai Lian Luai and officials.
The Vice President accompanied by the Chin State Chief Minister, proceeded by helicopter to Falam, where the Surbung Airport construction project is under way. Deputy Director-General U Kyaw Soe of the Department of Civil Aviation gave a briefing on matters pertaining to the permission granted for the project, fund procurement for every financial year, the work done between the 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 financial years, installation of aviation communications and electrical equipment, the status of earthworks being done, construction progress of the 6,000-feet-long asphalt runway, gravel embankments, main terminal building, air control tower and fire services building, the procurement status of aviation indicators, communications and aircraft meteorological data relay equipment, and measures undertaken for airport land ownership.
Union Minister U Ohn Maung also explained the prospects of tourism development in Chin State after completion of the airport.
The Vice President responded that there should be no losses and shortcomings in the construction work; that the project should be completed on time and to ensure that it is also up to the prescribed standard.
He added that weather data should be systematically recorded as it is situated on the mountain ranges.
The Vice President then inspected the construction site of the Surbung Airport project.
After completion of the Surbung Airport, it will be the major entry point by air to Chin State. Domestic and foreign visitors can tour the state in a shorter period of time. Local products and national ethnic races will have an easier and faster access to other places across the country.
The Surbung Airport is located in the middle of Chin State and from there travellers can instantly reach Falam, Haka, Thantlang, and Tiddim towns, Lonpee Mountain and Reed Lake. It will also provide easy and quick access to other airports in states/regions throughout the countries.
Next, the Vice President and party proceeded by helicopter to the Tikir Village, Thantlang Township and observed the 16-bed hospital and its environs.
Tikir hospital (length 141 feet by width 136 feet) RC concrete building was constructed with State funds of K 1365.45 million and its adjacent buildings include doctors, nurses, and health personnel housing.
The Vice President then watched the construction work of 20 houses, donated by the Ministry of Border Affairs, and 50 houses, donated by the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, in Tikir Village for the IDPs from Paletwa.
MNA
(Translated by Aungthu Ya)
PHOTO: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar