March 31, 2025

UNION Minister for Construction U Myo Thant, accompanied by Lt-Gen Myo Moe Aung from the Office of the Commander- in-Chief (Army), Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, the Central Command commander, and other officials, inspected the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) to assess earthquake damage and ensure its safe operation.

The director-general of the Bridge Department reported that the earthquake had damaged the bridge, causing the steel beams at the joints between the bridge piers and the main structure to bend. He stated that the bridge’s structural integrity had been assessed through visual inspection and explained the conditions under which restricted use would be permitted to ensure the safe passage of people and vehicles.

In response, the Union minister emphasized the importance of the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) as a key link between Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, highlighting the need for uninterrupted road communication. He instructed that traffic speed should be reduced to prevent further damage and ensure safety. He also stressed the necessity of an urgent inspection by a team of experts and professional engineers to assess the full extent of the damage. Given the occurrence of minor earthquakes in the Mandalay area, he called for continuous monitoring and timely reporting of any further damage to maintain public safety.

Lt-Gen Myo Moe Aung and the Mandalay Region chief minister also instructed officials to conduct a thorough examination and restrict the number of vehicles using the bridge to prevent further structural weakening. They further directed bridge security personnel to report any unusual incidents without delay.

The Union minister and his team, joined by Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw, then visited the site where the approach road on the Sagaing side of the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) had collapsed. He provided guidance on temporary repairs to make the road usable in the short term, as well as plans for long-term durability.

Additionally, the Union minister, accompanied by directors- general and departmental officials, inspected the construction site of the Central Bank of Myanmar (Mandalay Branch). He instructed that construction should only proceed after a thorough structural assessment by experts to ensure the building’s safety. — MNA/MKKS