Orange Line completion first of dozen delayed projects scrutinised
The Transport Ministry will on Friday (September 20) present the council of economic ministers with details on completing the western section of Bangkok’s Orange Line mass transit route.
The details cover civil works and the installation of an electrical system on the Min Buri-Bang Khun Non section. The project will cost Bt120 billion.
The western segment runs between the Thailand Cultural Centre and Bang Khun Non.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand project would be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said the project, if approved, would be forwarded to the Cabinet soon.
There are 11 mass transit projects in the ministry’s 2018 Action Plan awaiting Cabinet approval:
• Civil works on the southern extension of the MRT Purple Line between Tao Poon and Rat Burana (worth Bt77 billion)
• Phase 3 of the Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port (Bt84 billion)
• Maintenance-repair-and-overhaul facilities for U-tapao International Airport (Bt10 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Jira-Ubon Rachathani (Bt37 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Khon Kaen-Nong Khai (Bt26 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Hat Yai-Padang Besar (Bt8.1 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Pak Nam Po-Denchai (Bt62 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Chumpon-Surat Thani (Bt24 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla (Bt57 billion)
• Double rail tracks for Denchai-Chiang Mai (Bt59 billion)
• Procurement of new aircraft for Thai Airways International (Bt150 billion).
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the economic ministers want to speed development of the delayed mass transit projects.
He said measures to boost exports and tourism would also be presented to the council in the next two weeks.
