| The first phase of the highway running from Moreh (India) to Mae Sot (Thailand) through Bagan in Myanmar includes construction of 78 km of new roads and upgrading about 400 kms of single lane roads into two-lane ones, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters at a joint press meet here with his counterparts from Thailand Surakiart Sathirathai and from Myanmar U Win Aung. |
| Sinha said the first phase is estimated to cost $252 million, of which India will contribute about $100 million, Thailand about $90 million and the remaining will be contributed by Myanmar. The second phase would involve $154 million and the final phase is likely to cost $284 million. |
| A decision on constructing the trilateral highway was taken by the three foreign ministers when they met in Yangon in April last year to discuss transport linkages. |
| Sinha said the three sides have decided to appoint a group of senior officials to continuously review the progress of the project. This will be at the level of directors general (joint secretary) and the group's first meeting will be held in Myanmar in January, he said. |
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