The government is committed to investing 1.64 trillion baht to develop 10 mass transit routes and logistics-related projects over the next seven years.
Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan yesterday proposed infrastructure and logistics development plans through 2018 to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong. Mr Kittiratt promised to give full financial support to the projects.
Mr Jarupong said the two ministries will later establish a joint committee to refine the proposals and raise funds for development.
The two ministries agreed the government needs to speed up investment for the Asean Economic Community.
The remaining 1 trillion baht will be spent on air, water, and rail transportation infrastructure. This will include the expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport and the development of dual-track and high-speed trains.
The government said recently it would scrap bids for Red Line work to ensure it receives 70 billion baht from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance the project.
The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) board earlier decided to scrap bids for the third Red Line contract, involving electrical and signalling-system work worth 26.7 billion baht, after four bidders failed to qualify.
The SRT, which supervises the Red Line, faces severe problems in undertaking the project, especially the need to remove public utilities along the route.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/294650/state-committed-to-mass-transit
