Monday, 18 August 2014

STILWELL ROAD

Originally called as 'Ledo Road', the historic 'Stilwell Road' was constructed during the World War II from Ledo (in Assam, India) across the Patkai Range to Burma Road connecting to Kunming, Yunnan province of China. It passes through Lekhapani, Jagun, Jairampur, Nampong and Pangsau Pass (3,727 feet), India-Burma (Myanmar) border. It passes the Burma towns of Shingrwiyang, Warazur, Myitkyina and Bhamo in Kachin state. It touches Wanting, Lungling, Paoshan, Yongping, Yunnanyi, Tsuyung and Kunming of China. The road was named after General Joseph Warren Stilwell of the U.S. Army. He was the Chief of Staff to Allied Forces in China-Burma-India during the World War II. Stilwell was better known as 'Vinegar Joe'. His troops called him 'Uncle Joe'. The road was built by 15,000 African-American soldiers and 35,000 local workers at a cost of US$150 million. The road construction begun in December 1942 by constructing ware-houses, hospitals, barracks and base roads at Ledo, Assam, India side by side fighting with the Japanese forces. A total of 61 kms of the road lies in India, 1,033 kms in Burma (Myanmar) and 632 kms in China. In India, out of 61 kms, 30 kms lies in Assam and 31 kms lies in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Government of India has decided to reopen Stilwell Road as International Highway for trade route to link Myanmar (Burma), China and other South-east Asian countries.

(7th February 2012)

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