Coordination meeting: MoRAC UM chaired the coordination meeting

Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tin Oo Lwin chaired a coordination meeting on technological assistance for the renovation of Uppatasanti Pagoda, held at the Office of Uppatasanti Pagoda Board of Trustee in Nay Pyi Taw on May 6.

In his opening remarks, the Union Minister stated that due to the recent powerful Mandalay earthquake, various parts of the pagoda including the main stupa, platform area, sacred relic chamber, and surrounding structures were damaged. Following instructions from the Head of State, urgent repairs must be completed before the onset of the rainy season.

A coordination meeting was already held on April 26, and several committees have since been formed to oversee the renovation including Central Renovation Committee, Operations Committee, Technical Support Subcommittee, Media and Communications Subcommittee, Finance Subcommittee.

Necessary materials such as cement, bricks, sand, and gravels have already been procured in advance, and temporary preservation and repair works are underway. After that, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chair U Than Htun Oo also delivered remarks.

Then, U Htun Htun, Chair of the Pagoda Renovation Operations Committee and Member of the Nay Pyi Taw City Development Committee, presented a detailed PowerPoint briefing on the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake, the planned renovation activities.

He invited expert opinions and recommendations from professionals in attendance. Dr. Aung Kyaw Myat, Chair of the Myanmar Engineering Council and a member of the Technical Support Subcommittee, presented on the technical aspects of the renovation.

Dr. Yu Maung, a Geotechnical Engineer from the Myanmar High-Rise Building Committee, discussed the strengthening the platform, plans for grouting in weakened areas, soil reinforcement methods.  Architectural expert Dr. Toe Toe Win also presented a PowerPoint on the structural design of the Uppatasanti Pagoda.

The Union Minister concluded by instructing that the following tasks be initiated starting May 8, 2025, to complete repairs before the rainy season begin grouting work, implement soil reinforcement, construct a 30-ton load-bearing Bailey bridge to transport materials and equipment to the pagoda platform, reconstruct retaining walls, dismantle the damaged southwest elevator and remove materials promptly and repair the southeast elevator.  These tasks are to be urgently carried out under the guidance of relevant committees and technical experts.