Study for freight train to go to Khon Khaen-Laem Chabang
THE BOARD of the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) has approved the results of a feasibility study and analysis of the state agency’s plan to develop the 320-kilometre Khon Khaen-Laem Chabang electric train freight route.
The SRT acting governor Anon Luangboriboon said he expects the agency will submit the results for the Transport Ministry’s consideration next month.
The project will be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Using the “net cost” PPP approach, the state agency would allocate land plots along the route for the construction of the freight depot and maintenance centre, said a source at SRT. The SRT would also invest in the route management system.
Private partner
For their part, the private partner would focus on investing in the electrical and mechanical systems, related facilities and the procurement of the freight trains.
The feasibility study pegged the project cost at just over Bt19.19 billion, of which Bt17.25 billion is for the electrical and mechanical works, Bt1.2 billion for depot and maintenance centre construction, Bt735 million for procuring freight carriage, and Bt8 million for the environmental impact study.
The project concession period would be 30 years, with the concession holder able to extend the period for another 30 years in line with the conditions set in the 2013 Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
The SRT would gain a net return of about Bt21 billion throughout the concession term.
