Sittwe: Construction of the Sittwe Seaport, a major component of the Kaladan Multiple River Project between Burma and India, has been underway for a week, report witnesses and townspeople.

A businessman in Sittwe said, "The construction of the Sittwe Seaport began last week. Now along the bank of the strand road in Sittwe sand has been piled up for construction of the port."

Earlier reports included speculation that many important buildings, like the general hospital, central markets, and post offices would have to be relocated if the port were to be built in Sittwe.

"The buildings are unlikely to move to other locations for construction of the port. People in Sittwe are able to live right now without any worries about the port. We also hope to get job opportunities from the project," he said.

The seaport of Sittwe is a major part of the Kaladan Multiple River Project, meant to connect with the northeast states of India. The port is to be upgraded for vessels to run along the river route of the Kaladan from Sittwe to Sitpyitpyin in Paletwa Township, located on the upper Kaladan River.

In April 2009, India and Burma signed a framework agreement along with two other documents on the construction and operation of the 120-million USD multi-modal transit and transport facility on the Kaladan River, to connect Sittwe with the Indian State of Mizoram.

Specifically, the project covers upgrading both motor-roads and waterways in northwestern Chin State to enable Indian cargo vessels to travel along the Kaladan River in Sittwe's eastern bank to berth at Paletwa, where a high-standard port is to be built. A highway will also be built to connect with the port in Paletwa to enable access to the border area of Myeikwa to facilitate the flow of commodities to India's Mizoram State.

India stands as Burma's fourth largest trading partner after Thailand, China, and Singapore.