A temporary bus parking lot will be built at Nandawyargone field in Mrauk-U town, Arakan State, according to the Mrauk-U Township Development Affairs Committee.
Buses running between Mrauk-U and the Arakan State capital Sittwe, Mrauk-U and Minbya, and Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw, as well as local rickshaw drivers, will be allowed to park there.
U Shwe Maung, executive officer of the township Development Affairs Committee, said the parking lot is being established to ensure that buses are parking systematically, and to facilitate people using public transport in Mrauk-U.
“The parking lot will be built under the approval of the government. The main intention is to be convenient for the people and passengers,” he said.
Shop areas for vendors will be designated near the parking lot, the committee has said.
“Bus lines will have to pay parking fees to the township Development Affairs Committee. Vendors will also pay a tax for their shops,” U Shwe Maung said.
U Kyaw Naing, driver of a bus line running between Mrauk-U and Sittwe, said: “Buses are parked at roadsides now, so people are not convenient using roads. When a parking lot is built in relevant towns, there will be no traffic congestion.”
But Daw Khin Than, chair of the Mrauk-U Heritage Trust, told DMG that the parking lot should not be opened at Nandawyargone field.
“Nandawyargone is an old palace site of Mrauk-U ancient city. The parking lot should not be built in the ancient area while efforts are being made to list Mrauk-U on the World Heritage list,” she said, referring to an ongoing effort to gain historical recognition for Mrauk-U from the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO.
A bus terminal for highway buses exists at Htamarit ward in Mrauk-U town and the new parking lot to be built at Nandawyargone is for bus lines running relatively short trips.
