Kolkata-Bangkok Highway: In terms of highway infrastructure, India is moving at such a fast pace that it was not even imagined before. This is improving connectivity with various Asian countries. In the near future you will be able to drive from India to Thailand. For this, the work of constructing a highway from Kolkata to Bangkok is going on. Most of these highways have been completed in Thailand, while highway work is still pending in Myanmar and India. This highway is likely to open in about four years.
Under the BIMSTEC scheme, highways will be built to connect India with East Asian countries. It was announced at an event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, which was attended by commerce ministers of various countries and provinces.
Which countries will be involved?
There is a plan to build a trilateral highway between India and Thailand. It will start from Bangkok and reach Kolkata via Sukhothai in Thailand and Rangoon, Mandalay, Kelawa in Myanmar. In between, it will also pass through Moreh, Kohima, Guwahati, Shrirampur, Siliguri. The total length of the highway from Kolkata to Bangkok will be more than 2800 km. The largest part of this highway will be in India while the smallest part will be in Thailand.
The Foreign Minister of Thailand said that the part of this highway which was to be built in Thailand has been prepared. When the Myanmar minister said that he would build his part of the highway in the next three years. The Thai minister said that now a lot depends on how fast India and Myanmar act. He said that the total length of the highway would be around 2800 km. Myanmar’s commerce minister said that they have resumed construction of the highway and it is expected to be completed in two to three years.
Trade, tourism between the three countries will benefit
The opening of the highway between Kolkata and Bangkok is likely to give a big boost to trade in the region. A direct road link between the two countries is likely to reduce the cost and time of transport. Apart from this, there is also a possibility of a large-scale increase in the movement of tourists from one country to another in Thailand and India. Even now, Thailand is a favorite and affordable travel destination for thousands of Indians. The number of Indian tourists to Thailand may increase in the near future.
