PUBLISHED: 17 Jul 2024 at 08: 14
According to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke, the cabinet approved the opening of the Western Line project with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc ( BEM).
Through a 35.9-kilometer system of raised and underground rail sections, the Orange Line transport system links Min Buri district with Bang Khun Non district.
That consists of a 13.4km northern road, from Bang Khun No to the Thailand Cultural Centre, and a 22.4km northeast way, from the Cultural Centre to the Suwinthawongse place in Min Buri area.
The eastern project’s building is now complete, and trains are scheduled to go into support by January 2028.
Due to a previous dispute between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand ( MRTA ) and Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTSC ) regarding the bidding process for the system’s concessionaires, the development of the other project has long been postponed.
Mr. Chai claimed that the Supreme Administrative Court, in accordance with the law, was entitled to have the MRTA’s bidding committee revise the terms of reference ( ToR ) on June 12 and dismissed a lawsuit brought by the BTSC against the MRTA.
After the case was dismissed, BEM, which operated the MRT’s Blue and Purple outlines, was given the right to run the Orange Line. According to Mr Chai, the BEM proposed requiring less financial support from the state than its competitor, Italian-Thai Development ( ITD ).
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the government would have the contract signed on Thursday, with an agreement to invest in this 140-billion-baht project in the Public-Private Partnership ( PPP ) -Net-Cost investment pattern.
The deal, he said, may be successful for 30 years. In 2030, the northern project is expected to be finished.
