On 16 May 2025, Myanmar’s State Administration Council enacted the Rural Roads Development Law of 2025 (Law No. 38/2025) under Section 419 of the Constitution to establish a national legal framework for developing, maintaining, and regulating rural roads. This law aims to enhance rural connectivity, support inclusive economic growth, and improve resilience against natural disasters.

Definition and Objectives

The law defines “rural roads” as roads approved by the government to connect villages to each other, to towns, or to highways – excluding farm roads and certain bridges. It outlines seven objectives, including enhancing rural transport networks, ensuring the long-term sustainability of roads, and fostering public-private collaboration.

These objectives align with Myanmar’s National Strategy for Rural Roads and Access (2018), which defines the core rural road network to improve connectivity in rural areas. Myanmar currently has a 95,000 km rural road network, but more than 50,000 km need to be built or upgraded by 2030 to meet national targets.

Institutional Roles

The law assigns responsibilities to three leading actors:

• Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development (“Ministry”): Formulates rural road policies, approves projects, coordinates across agencies, and manages land acquisition.
  
• Department of Rural Development (“Department”): Implements projects, sets quality standards, regulates road use, and enforces compliance. It may execute works directly, through tenders, or by coordinating with other agencies.
  
• Rural residents: Required to assist in maintenance, participate in consultations, and propose road development projects.

Land Use and Community Engagement

The Department must comply with relevant regulations when proposing land requirements for new or expanded roads. The Ministry may acquire land either through voluntary donations or formal legal procedures. Authorities are required to consult local communities, take residential patterns into account, and ensure that road boundaries align with regional development plans. Community consultation is particularly important in areas with diverse populations to ensure fair treatment and inclusive benefits.

Compliance and Enforcement

The law prescribes penalties for unauthorized activities, including excavations, construction, and damage to roads. Fines range from MMK 10,000 to MMK 1,000,000, with prison terms up to three years. Repeat offenders face stricter penalties. All offenses are cognizable, allowing authorities to take immediate enforcement action.

Rulemaking Authority

The Ministry has the authority to issue rules and procedures with government approval. Additionally, the Ministry and Department may issue notifications, orders, and directives to effectively implement the law. To further support implementation, more rural road maintenance programs, guidelines, and technical standards should also be developed and issued.

Conclusion

The Rural Roads Development Law of 2025 introduces a foundational legal framework for the planning, construction, maintenance, and regulation of rural roads in Myanmar. Going forward, more effective implementation of the law will depend on the issuance of rules, regulations, and guidelines by the relevant authorities to provide clarity and support its practical application.

The information provided here is for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Legal advice should be obtained from qualified legal counsel for all specific situations.