PPP panel gives nod to fast-track motorway project
THE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee is going ahead with the Nakhon Pathom-Cha-am motorway project at a cost of Bt79.01 billion to facilitate transport to the South of Thailand, and has urged related agencies to propose projects under the fast track PPP scheme within this year.
The PPP Committee meeting yesterday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, and attended by Prapas Kong-ied, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office and director and secretary to the PPP Committee, explained that the committee had agreed in principle to the Department of Highways’ proposal to build the Nakhon Pathom-Cha-am motorway under the PPP fast-track scheme.
The PPP investment will be based on net cost basis. Under this model, the state would pay for land rights and invest Bt55.8 billion for civil works, while a private enterprise will spend on construction expenses, consultancy services, operation and maintenance, and rest area management for 30 years from commencement of service.
The Nakhon Pathom-Cha-am motorway project is expected to help alleviate traffic congestion on Highway No 4, called Phetkasem Road, and also serve as a high-quality motorway to the South.
The PPP Committee also urged the Transport Ministry and state agencies, which are the owners of the projects under the fast track PPP scheme, to implement their projects on schedule. These projects include the Purple Line’s southern extension between Taopoon and Kanchanaphisek Outer Ring Road, and the Orange Line section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Min Buri.
