Sky train planned for Yangon, minister says
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Construction of an elevated train will begin next year and it will follow the route of the existing train system used by about 100,000 commuters a day, Yangon Region transport minister Aung Khin told Weekly Eleven.
The new commuting option is intended to reduce traffic congestion in the city and, according to officials, will be built with Japanese aid.
Japanese engineers are already working with the regional government to upgrade the existing train system, known as the circular train, in Yangon. The aim is to upgrade its service so that it can handle up to 3 million commuters a day by 2020, according to officials at the Ministry of Rail Transportation.
Aung Khin provided few details about the planned elevated train, except to say it would follow the route of the existing train and include air conditioning.
Meanwhile, main roads in downtown Yangon such as Theinbyu and Boaungkyaw Roads will be widened this fiscal year to ease growing demand for parking lots, Yangon City Development Committee has said.
“We plan to widen main roads and some others in six townships in the downtown area. The number of roads hasn’t been set yet. But I’m sure Theinbyu and Boaungkyaw roads are included,” a YCDC official said.
New parking lots will specify service fees, he added.
The lack of parking areas has contributed to traffic congestion in the city centre. Some main roads were widened last year, including Anawyahta, Merchant and Strand Roads, however traffic jams in those areas have not diminished as expected.
At present, nine car parking zones have been designated in six townships. They charge Ks 200 (US$0.2) an hour for cars.
The city administration transferred some parking lots to private hands, and it receives Ks 1.4 billion ($1.4 million) annually for this, according to YCDC figures.
