Kandal, August 5 (AseanAll)  — On August 5,2024, Cambodia's historic major project - Funan Grand Canal project began in Kandal province,Cambodia.

Photo credit: Cambodian Ministry of Information

According to Radio National of Kampuchea (RNK),the whole of the nation joyfully and proudly celebrated the start of the construction of the Funan Techo canal project.

An over 10,000-strong meeting was organized in Prek Takeo village, Samrong Thom commune in Kien Svay disyrict, Kandal province on August 5, 2024. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the ground-breaking ceremony, which was attended by many senior government officials and members of the diplomatic corps in Cambodia.

Photo credit: Cambodian Ministry of Information

Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister, Hun Manet, said that the Funan Techo canal has been a clear indication that the country has been enjoying peace and national unity. He thanked people of all walks of life for supporting the project.

Photo credit: Cambodian Ministry of Information

Drums, bells and gongs sounded loudly in government ministries and institutions, in private establishments, in public and private schools and universities and in Buddhist pagodas all over the country when Hun Manet pushed the symbolic button at 9:09 am to start the construction project.

To celebrate the landmark event of the nation, government officials, workers and students had one day-off and the night life was entertained with the display of fireworks and live concerts at several public places.

The Funan Techo canal is 180 kilometers long. It starts at Takeo canal on the Mekong river in SomrongThom commune of Kien Svay district in Kandal province. The canal is linked to the Bassac river at Koh Thom district in the same province of Kadal before ending up in the southern sea in Kep province by passing through the Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep with about 1.6 million people living on both sides of the canal. The project is expected to take four years to complete and cost 1.7 billion US dollars.  

Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, Former Prime Ministers of Cambodia, has recently said that the canal will provide numerous benefits, including time savings for travel and transportation, a beneficial irrigation system, flood control, improved livelihoods for locals, and tourism promotion in the country’s southwest region.