Vice-President U Henry Van Thio and officials made an inspection tour to the Lailenpi airstrip project in Matupi Township in Mindat district of Chin State, yesterday afternoon.

The Vice-President, together with Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Phone Myat, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Kyaw Myo and officials, arrived at Bagan-NyaungU airport by helicopters in the morning. From there they continued their journey by helicopters to Chin State.

On arrival at the Lailenpi airstrip project, they were welcomed by Chief Minister of Chin State U Salai Lian Luai, state government members and officials.

At the briefing hall, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Myo and Engineer In-charge of airstrip construction Mr Terry presented a progress report.

Town elder U Hi Wah reported on the needs for local development. Chief Minister U Salai Lian Luai, Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Phone Myat and state government ministers participated in the discussions. The Vice-President gave comments and suggestions based on the discussions before inspecting the construction of airstrip by car.

The project was funded by the Mission Aviation Fellowship to reduce obstacles to healthcare services for local people in southern Chin State and to encourage the development of more effective transportation for the area.

The project was approved at meeting number 12/2017 of the Union Government. Construction was started in May 2019, and to date 75 per cent has been completed. The Lailenpi airstrip is the first-ever project constructed by an international organization with full financial and technical assistance in Myanmar.

It is located at an altitude of 4,918-ft with a 2,500-ft long and 50-ft wide runway. Caravan Cessna aircraft can land at the airstrip. It has a parking area of 150-ft length and 200-ft width.

MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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