Transport in Myanmar

The government of Myanmar (earlier known as Burma) has two ministries controlling transportation, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Rail Transport.

Thanlwin Bridge in Hpa An.

Road

Truck-bus in Mandalay.

Traffic on Anawrahta road, Yangon.

Express buses parked at Hpa-an bus station

total: 27,000 km (16,777 mi)
paved: 3,200 km (1,988 mi)
unpaved: 23,800 km (14,789 mi) (2006)

The main highways are as follows:

• 1 – Runs from Yangon to Mandalay, passing through Bago, Taungoo, Pyinmana and Meiktila.
• 2 – Runs from Yangon to Mandalay, passing through Pyay, Magwe, Kyaukpadaung and Myingyan.
• 3 – Runs from Mandalay to Muse, on the border with China, passing through Lashio.
• 4 – Runs from Meiktila to Tachileik, on the border with Thailand, passing through Taunggyi and Kengtung.
• 5 – Runs from Taungoo to Hopong, passing through Loikaw.
• 6 – Runs from Yangon to Pathein.
• 7 – Runs from Mandalay to Moreh, on the border with India, passing through Shwebo and Kale.
• 8 – Runs from Hpagyargyi to Myeik, passing through Moulmein, Ye and Dawei.
• 17– Runs from Tada-U to Myingyan, passing through Gwekon, and Myotha.
• 31 – Runs from Mandalay to Myitkyina, passing through Mogok and Bhamo.

There is one expressway in the country, which features double carriageway and four lanes on its entire length:

• Yangon-Mandalay Expressway – Runs from Yangon to Mandalay, by-passing Bago, Taungoo, Naypyidaw and Meiktila. Length:365 miles (587 km).

The other highways are as follows:

• Wonnral Road – Runs from Naungte to Retphaw, by- passing Hlagazaing, Myohaung, Duk Daw Nain, Kale, Kayin State, Tagondaing, Tamoowoug, Taungdi, Kyongawon, Phabya, Paya and Ta Nyin. Length: 35 miles (55 km).

In 2017, Yangon launched a bus network system that would reduce traffic and commute time of some two million commuters in the city.

Rail

The trains are relatively slow in Myanmar. The railway trip from Bagan to Mandalay takes about 7.5 hours (111 miles; 179 km).

Main article: Rail transport in Myanmar

As of February 2008, Myanmar had 5,099 km (3,168 mi) of railways, all 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge. There are currently no rail links to adjacent countries.

Water

Ayeyarwady River ferries in Bagan.

Ferries in Myanmar

12,800 km (7,954 mi); 3,200 km (1,988 mi) navigable by large commercial vessels. (2008)

Belmond Ltd operates on the Ayeyarwady River by the name Road to Mandalay River Cruise. Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was also in service along the Ayeyarwady River in the 20th century, until 1942, when the fleet was destroyed to prevent invading Japanese forces from making use of it. The IFC has since been revived as Pandaw, named for a salvaged original IFC ship, and is now one of the leading river cruise companies in the country.

Merchant marine

total: 24 ships (with a volume of 1,000 gross tonnage (GT) or over) totalling 472,284 GT/716,533 tonnes deadweight (DWT)
Ships by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo ship 17, passenger ship 2, passenger/cargo 3, specialised tanker 1 (2008)
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 3 countries: Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1

Ports and harbours

Sea

• Yangon
• Sittwe (Akyab)
• Dawei – railhead – new deepwater port under construction 2005

River

• Myitkyina
• Bhamo
• Mandalay
• Pakokku
• Pathein

Air

Yangon International Airport.

Mandalay International Airport.

Airports

In July 2010, the country had 69 airports. Only 11 of them had runways over 2 miles (3250 meters). Of the 11, only Yangon International, Mandalay International and Naypyidaw International had adequate facilities to handle larger jets.
total: 69
over 3,047 metres (3333 yards): 11
1524 to 3,047 metres (1666 yards to 3333 yards): 27
Under 1524 metres (1666 yards): 31

Heliports

4

Pipelines

• Crude oil 2,228 km (1,384 mi); natural gas 558 km (347 mi).
• Proposed pipe from Kyaukphyu through Mandalay to Kunming

See also

• Road Transport Authority (Myanmar)
• Myanmar Railways

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.