MPWT teams snap into action on shelled roads

MPWT teams snap into action on shelled roads

Synopsis: Emergency response teams start repairing infrastructure damaged by Thai army projectiles.

Following a ceasefire between Cambodian and Thai armed forces that commenced at midnight on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has deployed emergency response teams for the maintenance of roads and bridges in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces that have been damaged by shelling.

Ministry spokesman Phan Rim said yesterday that the teams in Preah Vihear have completed their inspections, while the teams in Oddar Meanchey will take longer to do the job as the damage to infrastructure in the province is greater.

According to a report by the Preah Vihear Province Department, nine roads had been damaged by Thai shelling.

He said the nine damaged roads are located in Choam Ksan district with road numbers 2628 (Ta Thav), and 2PVH5 (Choam Ksan-An Ses) having suffered significant damage. The two are are the main roads to Preah Vihear Temple.

Other national and provincial thoroughfares, such as road numbers 62, 92, 2625, 2PVH2, 2PVH7, and 2PVH9, have not been damaged. None of the bridges were damaged during the conflict, he added.

“The damaged roads in Choam Ksan district are important routes for both national and international tourists visiting the Preah Vihear Temple. So they will be repaired in a timely manner by the emergency response teams,” he said.

Public Works and Transport Ministry Peng Ponea on Monday instructed all provincial departments neighbouring Thailand to prepare emergency response teams to maintain the roads and bridges in their province. Khmer Times