Transport Ministry suspends construction of two extensions of Green Line train project
The Transport Ministry has ordered temporary suspension of construction of two extensions of the Green Line train project pending a settlement on debt transfer between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority.
Acting MRT governor Thiraphan Techasirinukul said Friday that the Interior Ministry which oversees the BMA was in the process of seeking a fund amounting to 60,815 million baht to repay the debt incurred from the construction of two sections the Green Line project from Baring and Samut Prakan and from Mor Chit through Saphan Mai to Khu Khot.
If the right to manage the two sectors is to be transferred to the BMA, then it should be the discretion of the BMA to decide to proceed with the two extensions from Samut Prakan to Bang Poo and from Khu Khot to Lam Looka, said Thiraphan.
An informed source said that there was a suggestion that the MRT should temporarily suspend construction of the two extensions due to the uncertainty about whether the BMA would manage the two extensions or not because of the anticipated low number of passengers using the routes.
However, the source said the final say rests with the Finance Ministry which is the funding agency for the train project.
Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/transport-ministry-suspends-construction-two-extensions-green-line-train-project/
