Myanmar to Redesign Capital After Quake Devastation

CJ

Myanmar’s military government has announced sweeping plans to redraw the layout of the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, following last month’s deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake that left much of the city in ruins.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing confirmed the move during a high-level government meeting, stating that many buildings collapsed because they were constructed on soft, unstable soil. The general ordered that any reconstruction must include earthquake-resistant designs, with soil stability testing to precede all rebuilding efforts.

State media reports over 3,500 fatalities and more than 5,000 injuries nationwide from the 28 March quake, which also caused tremors as far as Thailand and China. In Nay Pyi Taw, the BBC reports that around 70% of government buildings were damaged, prompting an urgent relocation of key ministries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism are among those reportedly shifting to Yangon, Myanmar’s former capital. Others are operating from temporary steel-framed structures known as "hotai" in Nay Pyi Taw, while emergency efforts focus on salvaging vital documents and cultural materials from government buildings and the National Museum.

Built in 2005 as a meticulously planned administrative centre, Nay Pyi Taw is known for its vast boulevards and underused infrastructure. It spans an area four times that of London but houses a fraction of the population. Its creation and continued role as the seat of power remain symbolic of Myanmar’s military rule.

Despite a declared 20-day ceasefire on 2 April to support recovery, reports suggest the military has continued operations in rebel-held regions, underlining the instability that persists across the country.

The reconstruction of Nay Pyi Taw is expected to take years, and while officials have pledged resilience, the scale of the damage raises questions about the city’s long-term viability as the nation’s administrative core.

-2025-04-21