Contract for double-trackrail lines for six routes to be signed

BANGKOK, Oct 22 (TNA) -- In order to facilitate passengers, the government-run State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been ordered to move speedily and sign contract for double-track rail lines for six routes before the end of 2015, said Deputy Transport Minister Omsin Chiwaphruek. Mr Omsin told journalists following a meeting with senior SRT officials Wednesday that he expected that contracts for three out of six routes including Chachoengsao to Kaeng Khoi, from Jira Junction to Khon Kaen, and from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Chumphon could be signed before this year-end. Three other routes including from Lop Buri to Pak Nam Pho, from Map Ka Bao to Jira Junction and from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin are still awaiting approval of the environmental impact study reports, said Mr Omsin, adding that he would propose to the cabinet on ways to resolve the problem so that an auction could be launched before the end of 2015. Construction for these three routes would take about three years. Mr Omsin said the extension route of mass transit rail system linking between Bang Sue – Rang Sit and from Taling Chan – Bang Sue would see construction costs increased to about 32.4 from 30.5 billion baht. It still needs approval while it is hoped that the process could complete before this year-end. (TNA)