Purple Line work delayed; energy supply assured
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The flood crisis has led to a delay in construction of the Purple Line extension of the Mass Rapid Transit system, while energy firms are working to ensure domestic supply.
The construction of the Purple Line section from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, which entails three contracts, has been temporarily halted because of the floods, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority said.
MRTA acting governor Rannochit Yamsa-ad said yesterday that the flood had affected many construction sites on the project.
He added that his agency would have to wait to see after the floods recede how long the project would be delayed.
As the flooding might cause the contractors to fail to complete their projects on time, the MRTA might relax the schedules for them as the disaster was unforeseen and beyond their control, he said.
Rannochit said construction of the Blue Line’s Hualamphong-Bang Khae and Bang Sue-Tha Phra sections was not affected by the flooding, as that project is just at the land-management stage.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said there would be no shortage of oil and gas but transport to fuel stations might be slow. Fuel retailers have already increased their inventory.
According to the ministry, the flood has forced 242 petrol stations, 88 liquefied-petroleum-gas stations, and 60 NGV (natural gas for vehicles) stations to suspend service.
Energy Business Department deputy director-general Somnuek Bamrungsalee said PTT was quickly delivering NGV to the retail stations that are still operational.
Meanwhile, Bangchak Petroleum said it had closely monitored the flood situation and it had insurance coverage for all kinds of risk, including floods, for assets of the company and its subsidiaries.
According to a release by the company yesterday, its oil-distribution centre and its B100 biodiesel production unit in Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya, have not been hit by the flood but they have suspended operations since October 16 as the flood in the surrounding area has made them inaccessible by oil-delivery trucks.
The company has also removed key equipment from its Sunny Bangchak solar-power plant in the area adjacent to the oil-distribution centre in Bang Pa-in and the plant is expected to resume operation two months after the flood recedes.
Bangchak fuel stations are operating as usual except for about 50 in the flooded areas.
Company president Anusorn Sangnimnuan added that its refinery on Sukhumvit 64 was operating as usual and ready to deal with the flood. Barriers have been built to protect the plant.
