Kolkata-Bangkok Highway: The trilateral highway linking India, Myanmar, and Thailand

The Kolkata-Bangkok Highway, also known as the Trilateral Highway, is an ambitious project aimed at enhancing connectivity between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Stretching from Kolkata in India to Bangkok in Thailand, the highway will pass through Myanmar, facilitating improved trade relations and regional integration. This project, which aligns with India’s Look East Policy, is part of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and is poised to be one of the longest highway projects in India.


The vision behind the highwayInitiated in 2002 under the leadership of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Trilateral Highway was conceived to promote friendly ties between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. The project aims to create seamless connectivity across the three nations, fostering economic growth and enhancing regional cooperation. Despite facing multiple challenges and delays, the highway is expected to be completed by 2027, offering a new dimension to trade and travel in the region.
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The completion of the Kolkata-Bangkok Highway is anticipated to bring significant benefits, particularly in terms of trade and connectivity. Here are some of the key advantages:
Increased trade: The highway will facilitate an increase in exports and imports between India and the ASEAN nations, strengthening economic ties and boosting trade volumes.

Connecting important cities: The highway will link several key cities across the three countries, including Bangkok, Yangon, Mandalay, and Kolkata. In India, towns like Siliguri, Guwahati, and Kohima will also be connected, enhancing regional accessibility. The highway will serve as a crucial link in the East-West Corridor and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, extending connectivity to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

Improved travel options: Once the highway is operational, it will provide an alternative to air travel, allowing people to drive between Kolkata and Bangkok, potentially reducing travel costs.

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Key facts

• Project Name: Kolkata-Bangkok Highway or Trilateral Highway
• Length: 2,800 km
• Countries covered: India, Myanmar, and Thailand
• Estimated completion: 2027
• Route of the Kolkata-Bangkok Highway

The Kolkata-Bangkok Highway will traverse through numerous cities across India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Some of the major cities along the route include:

Thailand: Bangkok, Sukkhothai, Mae Sot

Myanmar: Yangon, Mandalay, Kalewa, Tamu

India: Siliguri, Srirampur, Guwahati, Kohima, Moreh, Kolkata
The highway is divided into different stretches, carefully planned to optimise connectivity and facilitate smooth travel across the three nations. Once completed, the Kolkata-Bangkok Highway will stand as a symbol of regional cooperation and development, transforming the landscape of trade and travel in Southeast Asia.