Shwedagon Pagoda underpass opens, enhancing safety and convenience for visitors

29/12/2024 13:15

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Eain (NP News) - Dec 29

The ceremony to inaugurate Myanmar's Second Underpass Tunnel, connecting the western archway of Shwedagon Pagoda and People's Squ­are, was held after a year of construction, according to a statement released by the State Administration Council (SAC).
The opening ceremony of the underpass tunnel was held on December 23, and the Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended and inaugurated the tunnel by pressing the opening button.
This underpass tunnel is located in a place with high traffic to the Shwedagon Pagoda. It was built with the aim of providing a safer and more convenient passage for visitors to the Shwedagon Pagoda and People's Square, free from vehicular traffic, and to add a modern infrastructure to the area.
The main structure of the underpass measures 11 feet high, 23 feet wide, and 461 feet long, featuring four entrances and exits designed to accommodate approximately 14,000 people per hour. For accessibility, the underpass is equipped with four escalators and two elevators for the convenience of older adults and indiv­iduals with disabilities. In addition, four escalators and two elevators for the eld­er­ly and disabled have been installed, making it convenient for the elderly to use.
With the opening of this underpass, the public and pilgrims can now travel safely without the risk of road accidents. Additionally, it is expe­ct­ed to significantly reduce traffic congestion on U Wisara Road.