YANGON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is building an airport in the far-flung mountainous Falam township of Chin state to bring more tourists to the region. the Department of Civil Aviation has said.
The authorities are using a state budget of 19.93 billion kyats (13.28 million U.S. dollars) for the first phase of the Surbung Airport project, according to the Department of Civil Aviation late on Monday.
Runways, terminals and navigation facilities are being built and 58.3 percent of the airport construction work are said to have been completed.
The airport runway extends 1,800 meters in length and 30 meters in width.
It is hard for people to move within the state due to the lack of reliable transport infrastructure and in the monsoon season, landslide and floods make it almost impossible to travel.
Chin state, having nine townships, remains one of the least developed in Myanmar due to a lack of proper transport and infrastructure.
Upon completion of the airport, the state will be accessible from Yangon within hours. Meanwhile, the regional government is also planning to open smaller airports in Tiddim, Tonzang and Hakha townships.
