Plant awaits power producer from Japan

Plant awaits power producer from Japan

Sources coming to the border told S.H.A.N. work has stopped at the biggest waterfall in Shan State since the last visit made by two Japanese engineers in February. 

"We were told that the work would resume on the arrival of generators from Japan," said a former headman from Kengtawng, where the 975 ft high Zong-arng Falls with an estimated power capacity of 60 megawatts is located. 

Kengtawng, a sub township of Mongnai, is 100 miles east of Taunggyi and 31 miles northeast of the township seat. 

The Japanese, during their three day visit, 2-5 February, had inspected the western part of Zong-arng, which is 14 miles south of Tonhoong, the sub-township seat. 

The Kengtawng powe plant project, abandoned in December 2001 by Chinese engineers after 62 members died through various causes, was officially underway again after Vice Senior General Maung Aye made a visit to the waterfall on 15 November last year. According to the New Light of Myanmar, there will be three turbines generating 30 metawatts at the first phase and another turbine generating 15 megawatts at the second phase. 

A 25-ft wide gravel road had been completed during the dry season. "Since then we saw only thousands of troops from around the area engaging in continuous military exercises," said a 50-year old native of Kengtawng who recognized IB 246, LIB 332 and LIB 524 from Kunhing, IB 99 from Langkher and IB 294, LIBs 520, 575 and 577 from Mongpan, among others. 

A basic military training school had also been set up at Wiang-kao, west of Tonhoong, since January 2002, that is producing 2,500 new soldiers every 4-months, under the supervision of Col Tint Lwin. Nakhaozao or Nakholiang, an abandoned field south of the school is being used as the training ground. 

"It was Col Tint Lwin who informed us on the Shan New Year (5 December 2002) that by the year 2004, Zong-arng would be supplying electricity not only to Kengtawng but also the whole southern Shan State," reported another who brought a video taped record of the event. 

There are three logging companies currently working in the area west of Kunhing-Tonhoong-Mongpan road: Asia World of Law Hsinghan, Shan State South of Maha Ja and a local firm owned by a Toon Myat. The three had been authorized to cut 3,000 tons of teakwood: AW 1,500, SSS 750 and TM 750. "Since the logging started in 2001, about 50% of our forested areas have gone," he estimated. 

Kengtawng, one of the most scenic areas of Shan State, used to boast a hundred villages before the 3-year massive forced relocation drive was launched in 1996. Now it has no more than 20 villages, regrouped under 4 tracts: Tonhoong, Nawnghee, Kunmong and Kunlong, which in turn report to Nyi Nyi Aung, the sub-township officer. 

Further details: 

Units stationed in Kengtawng: LIB 569 (Kunmong), LIB 576 (Pasa) and LIB 574 (Takoon) are commanded by Col Thaung Shwe who is headquartered at Nawng Ook, a village south of Tonhoong. The colonel reports in turn to Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing, Commander of the Military Operation Command #17, in Mongpan.