Redesign may delay Dark Green Line project, add cost
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of
The project has been held up as the MRTA could not expropriate a land plot behind
Therefore, it is necessary to build the centre in the Kukot area, said MRTA deputy governor Yiemchai Chatkeo.
However, adjusting the plan could further delay the project, which is scheduled to be up and running by 2016, given that the change needs approval by the MRTA board and the Cabinet.
The adjustment will also increase the cost of the project, as the MRTA will extend the route by 7 kilometres to Kukot at a cost of about Bt2 billion per kilometre.
Construction of the Dark Green Line is to begin in December, and the line is scheduled to go into operation in May 2016. The MRTA will use a consultant from November to June and select the contractors from February to November next year.
Under the original plan, the Dark Green Line project was to cost Bt36.513 billion, of which Bt18.723 billion was for the civil work, Bt2.388 billion for land expropriation, Bt14.156 billion for the train system, and Bt1.24 billion for management consultant fees. The cost of the Light Green Line project is Bt28.029 billion, of which Bt17.23 billion is for the civil work, the train system is Bt9.129 billion, land expropriation Bt675 million, and management consultant fees Bt992.5 million.
Regarding the progress of the Pink Line route of Pak KretChaeng WattanaMin Buri, Yiemchai said the MRTA was drafting the terms of reference, which were expected to be finished within the next two weeks. After that the MRTA would take four months to design the plan to study the environmental impact. Construction is expected to be finished in 2014.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com
