U Bein Bridge to have temporary repairs ahead of Thingyan Festival

Mandalay March 23

U Bein Bridge in Mandalay’s Amarapura Township will undergo temporary repairs ahead of the Thingyan Festival, according to Mandalay Region Government.

As visitors usually throng the landmark bridge in the Thingyan Festival, temporary repairs will be carried out with Ks-4 million donated by the board of trustees of Taung Min Gyi Monastery so that the bridge can cope with large crowds of visitors during the Thingyan Festival.

“We need funds for long-term maintenance of the bridge. But for the time being, we’ll carry out temporary repairs to make sure the strength of it during the Thingyan Festival,” said Mandalay Region Resources and Environmental Conservation Minister U Myo Thit.

The Region Government has instructed Amarapura Township authorities to make preparations to ensure safety of visitors to the bridge during the Thingyan Festival. 

‘‘Myanmar Tea Wood Co has carried out renovation works out of its own pocket on the bridge since last March, but after completing around 30 percent of the works, the company has stopped renovation, and the Regional Government has asked the company about it,’’ said minister U Myo Thit.

U Bein Bridge is over 160 years old, and badly torn by the weather. So far five major repairs have been carried out since 2000 and in 2014- 2015 fiscal year, a major repair was carried out at an expense of Ks-13.4 million.

The Myawady Daily