Yangon-Mawlamyine Railway: Mon State Minister of Transport Orders Closure of Illegal Level Crossings

It has been reported that the Mon State Minister of Transport has instructed the closure of illegal railway level crossings located within Paung Township and Thathon Township on the Thinzat-Mawlamyine section of the Yangon-Mawlamyine Railway. On the morning of September 17, U Zeyar Oo, the Minister of Electricity, Energy, Industry, and Transport of the Mon State Government, conducted an on-site inspection in Paung and Thathon townships to prevent accidents caused by remaining illegal level crossings on the Thinzat-Mawlamyine railway section of Myanma Railways, and to ensure the swift closure of these illegal crossings. Minister U Zeyar Oo instructed officials to raise awareness among local residents about the dangers associated with the use of illegal level crossings and to prevent accidents, and also directed the administrators of the respective wards and villages to carry out awareness activities related to illegal level crossings. On the Yangon-Mawlamyine railway line, between Thinzat Station and Mawlamyine Station in Mon State, there are 157 railway crossings, but only 16 are legal. It is known that there are many illegal railway crossings in Paung Township, and there are annual casualties due to train accidents. It has been reported that a few days ago, an accident occurred on an illegal level crossing on the Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw railway line, where a DEMU train collided with a tractor and a sidecar vehicle, resulting in the deaths of one monk and three people.