NAY PYI TAW September 29
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members General Mya Tun Oo and General Maung Maung Aye, union ministers U Min Naung, U Hla Moe, Dr Nyunt Pe, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and officials, inspected repair of Samon creek bridge on Thasi-Mandalay railroad section damaged by floods this morning.
The Senior General and party proceeded along Meiktila-Thasi road and observed agricultural activities and developments along the road. They then arrived at Thasi station and from there they went to Samon creek bridge repair worksite on Thasi-Mandalay section by train. Along the way the Senior General inspected the thriving crop fields, damage caused to crop fields and some parts of the railroad section by erosion which was triggered by the force of powerful floods and gave necessary guidance to officials.
The Senior General and party arrived at the worksite on Yangon site and inspected mechanized laying of the approach bund and rail lanes of bridge No. 691 (up), erection of a 90-foot triple double bailey bridge as a replacement of bridge No.691 (down) which lost its four steel frames that fell from the bridge and pier 3 driven away by floods and cordially greeted the workers.
During the inspection, SAC member Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo and officials reported on flood-hit damage along Yangon-Mandalay railroad and Thasi-Shwenyaung-Taunggyi rail section and preparation to reopen the railroads.
In response, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the extent of damage shows the force of the powerful floods. Rain-fed strong water currents flowing down from Shan plateau and logs and silt they were carrying caused extra damage along their route. Sustainability and quality must be prioritized in the repair work. Research and development must be conducted systematically to withstand such disasters in the future.
Proper drainage system must be taken into account in repairing the damaged ones and building new ones. Likewise, erection of stone retaining walls that can hold powerful currents and channel straightening must also include in the list considerations.
Responsible persons should strive to ensure uninterrupted transportation and timely completion of the work.
They then inspected the construction of the 90-foot triple double bailey as a replacement of the damaged bridge and presented foodstuff for the workers.
They then rode a train from the worksite to Thedaw station.
From there they went along Thedaw-Wundwin-Meiktila road by car and observed regional development and agricultural undertakings along the route.
