TWELVE townships in Yangon Division administered by the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races will be “upgraded” by the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council to serve as model townships for the rest of Myanmar, an official from the council said last week.

“According to the plan, development activities will be increased in the participating townships,” the official said.

He said the project, approved on August 16, will focus on repairing decrepit power lines in each township; improving the flow of wastewater; controlling street dogs, rats and mosquitoes; cleaning up plastic garbage; building playgrounds; and landscaping parks.

Participating townships include Taikgyi, Hmawbi, Hlegu and Htantapin in the north district of Yangon Division, and Thanlyin, Kyauktan, Khayan, Thonekhwa, Twante, Kawthmu and Kunchankone in south district.

The 12th township, Coco Island, is located about 450 kilometres (280 miles) southwest of Yangon in the Bay of Bengal.