Residents Facing Difficulties Due to Lack of Repairs on Putao-Magweza-Hkawng Lang Hpu Road

Pajau Media

8 December 2025

The Putao-Magweza-Hkawng Lang Hpu road is the only main route the local people rely on for their livelihood, healthcare, education, and transportation of goods. However, due to the lack of maintenance and repairs, residents say they are facing difficulties.

“One particular period every year is the time when people buy and sell shauk kaw (mountain spice). But this year, the buyers couldn’t come, and our local people also couldn’t transport the produce because the road is so bad. The road has been damaged for a long time since the rainy season. The relevant authorities know about it; they have even seen it. But until now, no repairs have been done, and it has made life very difficult for the residents,” said a shauk kaw plantation owner.

In addition, due to the lack of goods flowing in from the Putao side, the prices of basic commodities have been rising, and trade in shauk kaw, the region’s main agricultural product has come to a halt.

Local residents mainly depend on growing shauk kaw, and they rely on the income from it to support their families’ basic needs, they said.

Since early June, landslides and bridge collapses caused by heavy rainfall have damaged parts of the road. As transportation became extremely difficult, the flow of goods stopped, and this situation has continued for about six months.

News: Mali Hku