Red line rail project delayed

BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) - Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Worawut Mala will inspect the construction site of the red line electric rail project on May 25 to accelerate the work after it is behind schedule. He said the red line construction runs under three contracts. The construction of the Bangsue central station and the maintenance center and the rail line section from Bang Sue to Rangsit is slightly delayed at about 1-2 per cent. However, the system work of the Bang Sue-Rangsit route and Bang Sue-Taling Chan route is 25 per cent delayed. The SRT will expedite the work, so the red line service can start operation within three months behind the original schedule in June 2020. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said today, the government will release its terms of reference (ToR) for private investors in the high speed rail project linking three main airports. He said Thai investors will hold the major stake of 51 per cent as required by the Thai law. This project will also include the development of Makkasan station area, one of the Airport Link stations, which will become the main station of the high-speed rail. Currently, both Thai and foreign investors are interested in investing in the project. He expects the winning bidder will be announced in November. (TNA)