In pre-independence days, there was a metre gauge line: Kathar - Radhikapur - Biral - Parbatipur - Tista - Gitaldaha - Golokganj – Fakiragram.
It flows through northern Shan state and Sagaing Division, and enters the Ayeyarwady at Inywa, 60 km north of Tagaung and south of Katha.