Cabinet to consider Denchai –Chiang Khong double track railway this month

BANGKOK, March 14 (TNA) – The Transport Ministry will propose the double track railway project from Phrae to the northern province of Chiang Rai this month. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the double track railway route from Phrae’s Denchai to Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong has passed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study. It is being considered by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) before it will be proposed to the Cabinet this month. The minister also said about the timeline of the electric train projects in Bangkok and adjacent provinces that he is confident the Cabinet will approve all ten routes within this year. When the construction is completed and commuters will travel from outskirts of Bangkok to the heart of the city more easily and it will relieve traffic congestion. The Orange Line’s western route from Thailand Cultural Center to Taling Chan, stretching 16.4 kilometres will be forwarded to the Cabinet in May. Currently, the ministry is awaiting the results of a study on a potential joint investment model under the public-private partnerships (PPPs). The ministry will table before the Cabinet the proposal for the 23.6 km Purple Line – from Taopoon to Ratburana in the third quarter of this year after the study of the joint investment model is finished. Moreover, he said the transport ministry also plans to roll out the Master Plan for the third phase of electric train development for comprehensive mass transit connection. The plan is now being studied. (TNA)