BANGKOK, 21 October 2014 (NNT) – The Cabinet has granted approval to the building of double-track railway on six routes next year as well as the purchase of the first lot of NGV buses within the first quarter.
According to Mr Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, Deputy Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, a green light was given by the Cabinet to the proposed plan to begin laying down a dual-track railway system in Thailand in 2015. The construction will initially cover a distance of 873 kilometers on six routes, namely Chira Junction-Khon Kaen, Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon, Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin, Map Kabao-Nakhon Ratchasima, Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho and Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The Cabinet also agreed to the request to expand the width of rail tracks to 1.435 meters for the sections between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai, and Bangkok and Rayong in order to increase traveling speed.
Meanwhile, related officials were authorized to go ahead with the purchase of the first 489 NGV-powered buses within January to March next year. The rest of the buses in the procurement plan are to be acquired gradually afterwards.
As for the pending electric train projects, Mr Chaiwat said the Green Line’s Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot section was expected to be ready for bidding within this year, whereas six other lines would likely be up for grabs next year.
Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5710210010013
