Traffic congestion is the bane of all commuters in cities around the world, and Yangon is no exception. According to calculations by the Asia Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), there are roughly 2.8 million commuters in Yangon. About 70,000 of these ride the trains, while very few people take the water buses that run along Yangon River.
The situation can be enough to raise the blood pressure, at times. It has needed attention, and now efforts are under way to curb the congestion.
Yangon Regional Government has launched multi-transport projects in Pazundaung and Kyeemyindaing Townships. To accomplish the goal of reducing traffic snarls and delays, they plan to integrate three different means of transport: trains, cars and ships.
“In order to provide more efficient, effective, and convenient transportation, we will try to integrate road and waterway transport,” U Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of Yangon, said. “We are currently doing feasibility studies for these projects, in the hopes of easing traffic congestion.”
Currently, water buses run along the Yangon River, and plans are in the works to expand the service in Ngamoeyeik Creek, following feasibility studies of the projects and their safety. Plans are in the works to dismantle the old bridge.
The regional government chose Kyeemindaing and Pazundaung Townships because they are located at the juncture of road and waterway transport routes. Plans to improve them in both the short and long term are in the works.
Daw Ni Lar Kyaw, Regional Minister for the Ministry of Electricity, said: “Now, we are building jetties along the bank of Ngamoeyeik Creek for ships. Moreover, projects to renovate the circular railway are nearly complete in western areas. We will connect the waterway and railway.”
Source:https://www.mmbiztoday.com/articles/yangon-region-launch-projects-ease-traffic-two-townships-0