MEA to kick off 2nd phase of wire relocation next year

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) – The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) will start a bidding process for the second phase of the project to re-install electric wires and cables underground in the third quarter of next year. MEA Assistant Governor, Tepsak Titaraksa said that in the second phase, electric wires and cables will be moved underground on 39 routes, covering 127 kilometres in Bangkok and two surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan. The 48-billion-baht project is expected to be completed in 2021. Currently, the MEA is carrying out the first phase of work to put the wire underground for a distance of 45.5 kilometres on several roads in inner Bangkok such as Ratchaprarop Road, Sri Ayutthaya Road, Sathorn Road and Ratchadapisek Road. It has spent the budget of 18 billion baht to beautify the capital as draped wires were complained as an eyesore over pavements. The MEA also organized a workshop, participated by representatives from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), telecommunications operators and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority to better organize the cables and to eliminate obstacles that cause delays. (TNA)