India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway – Delays cause concernsIndia-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway – Delays cause concerns

The highway was first conceptualised a decade back in 2002 to strengthen economic ties and facilitate greater connectivity between India and Southeast Asia. It emerged as part of India’s “Look East” policy.

Around this time in 2023, updates from government representatives of the three nations involved suggested that most of the project’s work in Thailand was over, in India around 70% of the work was complete, and in Myanmar most of the highway was constructed as well. It was anticipated that the remaining sections should complete within next three years i.e. by 2027. However, despite its strategic importance, delays in its completion have raised concerns.

Spanning 1,360 kilometers, and once operational, the highway aims to connect India’s Northeast region with Thailand via Myanmar, facilitating trade and commerce, health, education, and tourism between the three nations while providing a more efficient and cost-effective transportation route.

The IMT-TH project follows a proposed plan that starts from Bangkok and passes through cities like Sukhothai and Mae Sot in Thailand, and Yangon, Mandalay, Kalewa, and Tamu in Myanmar before reaching India. In India, it is likely to pass through Moreh, Kohima, Guwahati, Srirampur, Siliguri, and Kolkata, ning over 2,800 km. The longest stretch of the highway will be in India, while the most minor road section will be in Thailand. 

In today’s interconnected world, efficient transport infrastructure is essential for fostering trade relations…Despite its strategic importance, the IMT Highway has faced significant delays in construction, pushing its completion timeline far beyond initial projections. Several factors contribute to these delays, including bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, environmental concerns, and geopolitical tensions. Border disputes and security concerns in certain regions have also hampered progress, highlighting the complex nature of transnational infrastructure projects.

 In a world of countless disruptions, it is ultimately cooperation and dialogue that become crucial for resolving border disputes and security concerns. Investing in sustainable infrastructure practices and mitigating environmental impacts should also be integral to the project’s development strategy The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway holds immense potential for enhancing cross-border trade and fostering regional integration. However, its delayed completion underscores the challenges associated with transnational infrastructure projects. By addressing these challenges and prioritizing connectivity initiatives, countries can unlock new opportunities for economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.