YANGON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture announced on Wednesday it has designated a 138-year-old air compressor station in Yangon as an ancient heritage site.
The compressor station is not only a historic building, but also evidence of the country's technological and industrial development, the ministry's Department of Archaeology and National Museum said, calling for the site to be studied, preserved and maintained for future generations.
The air compressor station, also known as the blower station, was officially designated a heritage site on Tuesday, marked by the installation of a commemorative bronze plaque, the ministry said.
Located in Botahtaung township in Yangon region, the facility is operated by the engineering department of the Yangon City Development Committee.
Built in 1888, the station used air pressure to discharge sewage collected from households in downtown Yangon into the Yangon River. As electricity was not yet available in the early years, it initially relied on coal-fired boilers and compressor engines.
The equipment was upgraded in 1961 with electric air compressors, which remain in use today. The original coal-fired compressors have been preserved and are displayed for educational purposes, the ministry said. ■