Paving the existing road would address transportation difficulties for nearly 500 people, an MP says.

There is no plan to improve a road requested by villagers in northern Shan State’s Hsipaw Township in the coming fiscal year, the state’s transportation minister said in parliament this week.

The road connecting Nam Hu Nwet and Kawng Hkar is steep and unpaved, MP Nang San San Aye of Hsipaw explained on Wednesday in the legislative session.

“It would be possible to upgrade this road into a blacktop road. Is there any plan to build this road with next year’s budget?” she asked.

Khun Ye Htwe, the minister of transportation in Shan State, responded by saying there was “no plan” to upgrade the road this year, and that projects were dependent upon “funds and priorities.”

He added that his ministry had requested 532.5 million kyat for the upgrade of five other roads in Hsipaw requested by the township’s planning committee.

MP Nang San San Aye explained that villagers find it difficult to travel on the Nam Hu Nwet-Kawng Hkar road even in dry season. Additionally, students in Kawng Hkar have to attend classes in Mang Hae and Nam Hu Nwet, two miles away on this road, which remains unsafe.

There have also been issues regarding healthcare, as villagers cannot easily travel to the hospital when they are sick, she added.

The upgrading of this road would address transportation difficulties for 480 people from 94 families in the area, Nang San San Aye explained.