Context: Recently, the Supreme Court has cleared a major roadblock in the completion of a Trilateral Highway Connectivity project between India, Myanmar and Thailand by staying the litigation initiated by the defaulting contractor before the Manipur high court.
Background

• India had signed an agreement with Myanmar on August 29, 2016 for construction and upgrading of 69 bridges of Second World War vintage as part of the ambitious road project beginning from Manipur till Thailand. 
• But ever since the project was awarded to a joint venture of Mumbai-based Niraj Cement Structurals Limited and Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Limited in November 2017, delays lagged the project, as a result of which India acting through project consultant IRCON Infrastructure and Services Limited terminated the contract.

About India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway

• Total length:  1,360 km.
• Connects India with Thailand through Myanmar.
• Signed in 2016 and is to be completed in 2020.
• The road will connect Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
• The IMT trilateral highway project is largely funded by the Indian government.
• Delays affected the implementation of the project.

Expected Benefits

• The project will boost trade and commerce in the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area.
• Help connect with rest of the countries in Southeast Asia like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
• Act as a counterweight to the strategic influence of China in the region.
• The project is a grant-in-aid initiative by India as part of its “Act East Policy” and will benefit Myanmar as the dilapidated bridges pose a danger to human life and property.