Kolkata to Bangkok: The Trilateral Highway Bridging India, Myanmar, and Thailand
Kolkata to Bangkok: The Trilateral Highway Bridging India, Myanmar, and Thailand
The Kolkata-Bangkok Highway, also known as the Trilateral Highway, is set to transform regional connectivity by linking India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Stretching over 2,800 kilometers, this ambitious infrastructure project will run from Kolkata in India to Bangkok in Thailand, passing through Myanmar. It aims to enhance trade and integration across these nations, aligning with India’s Look East Policy and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
Proposed by former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002, the highway is designed to strengthen relations between the three countries and boost economic growth. The project is set to become one of India’s longest highways once completed, despite facing numerous delays and challenges. Expected to be finished by 2027, the highway promises significant improvements in connectivity and economic interactions.
The highway will link major cities, including Kolkata, Yangon, Mandalay, and Bangkok. In India, it will connect cities like Siliguri, Guwahati, and Kohima, improving access across the region. Additionally, the highway will play a pivotal role in the East-West Corridor and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, extending connectivity to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
One of the key benefits of the highway will be providing a viable alternative to air travel, allowing passengers to drive from Kolkata to Bangkok, potentially lowering travel expenses. The highway is also expected to boost trade between India and ASEAN countries, enhancing economic ties and trade volumes.
The Kolkata-Bangkok Highway stands as a testament to regional cooperation and progress, promising to reshape Southeast Asia’s commercial and travel landscape.
