High-speed trains to take back seat in plan
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Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said the Bt2-trillion infrastructure investment plan would give priority to the construction of four-lane roads and motorways in the first year, before focusing on the dual-track railway and mass-transit projects. Im
He disclosed the priorities at a seminar on the Bt2-trillion projects hosted by the Thai-Japan Association yesterday.
The government plans to spend US$3.333 billion (Bt97.75 billion) this year on the projects, $6.667 billion in 2014, $10 billion in 2015, $11.333 billion in 2016, $13.333 billion in 2017, $12 billion in 2018, $80 billion in 2019 and $20 billion in 2020.
The Bt2-trillion borrowing bill is likely to face final vetting by Parliament in August, as legal interpretation is still underway. PM’s Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn said on Wednesday that if it could not be submitted to Parliament during the extraordinary meeting on May 29-30, final vetting would take place in the next ordinary session, which will open in August.
As part of the spending plan, 45 highways will be broadened into four lanes. Eleven transnational highways will also be constructed.
Chadchart added that the high-speed-rail project needed to undergo time-consuming environmental- and health-impact assessments before tendering could begin.
