Kengtawng to light Shan State South by 2006

Environment

Kengtawng to light Shan State South by 2006

Burma's military authorities had recently postponed the lighting of southern Shan State from 2004 to 2006, according to sources coming from Kengtawng, a sub-township 100 miles east of Taunggyi where they have been trying to harness the Zong-arng waterfalls since 2001.

"The news was disclosed to us by U Nyi Nyi Aung, sub township officer," said a trader. "When we asked him why, he just told us there were some technical problems."

Bowing to the advice of the Japanese experts to preserve the natural beauty as much as possible, Burmese engineers have constructed a diversion two-and-a-half miles long, a local quoted a government official as saying.

All the same, refugees arriving from Kengtawng, told S.H.A.N. they were somewhat disappointed with the Shan State Army, whose 759th Brigade is active in the area, for "doing nothing to stop" the project.

On 24 May, Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt flew in to inspect the construction, where he was reported that the plant would be installed with 3 18 megawatt turbines generating 472 million kilowatts, according to the state-run New Light of Myanmar.

Kengtawng is connected to several townships in Southern Shan State: Kunhing, Namzang, Mongnai, Langkher and Mongpan. The road from Namzang's Kholam, 36 miles, had just been completed on 14 March.