Sittwe: The first train in Arakan State ran on Wednesday between Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, and Ray Chan Bying Village soon after the railway was opened by the Burmese military authority.

A witness said, "SPDC Prime Minister Lt. General Thein Sein attended the opening ceremony that was held in the main railway station in Sittwe to open the first phase of the railway route between Sittwe and Ray Chan Bying. After that the train traveled between Sittwe and Ray Chan Bying."

A large number of local people attended the opening ceremony to see the train because it is the first time a train has run in Arakan State since Burmese independence from Britain.

"The opening ceremony was well attended by people. The authority is allowing people to ride the train without fare for three days. Many children were riding the train yesterday," he added.

The railway route is the first phase of the Sittwe - Ann main route and has been completed in only three and half months.

"Because of that, there is a rumor among the people that the train could turn over at anytime as the route is not strong and was built slovenly. Many people avoided riding the train yesterday," the witness said.

However, some elders rode the train to test it after the authority requested they take a ride for free.

The military government has constructed the railway in Arakan State as quickly as possible since the project began in February 2009.

Many people believe the construction of the railway route in Arakan State is an attempt to lure Arakanese people into supporting the government-sponsored party in the 2010 election.

According to a local government source, the Sittwe - Ann railway route is a one-year project that will be finished before 2010. The government claims the railway is intended to boost the economy of Arakan State by connecting it with Burma proper.

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