Design change prompts review of Red Line route

Concerned that a proposed design change might affect the high-speed Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tao airport link, the State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) has issued an order to the rail company to review the Red Line electric train extension project.

The committee has expressed concern that the transfer of a train place on the 25.9km improvement may obstruct the high-speed train connecting Bangkok and Rayong, according to SRT lieutenant governor Anan Phonimdang.

The main attraction is the anticipated transfer of Ratchawithee station, which was formerly housed on Ban Ratchawithee and is now housed in Ramathibodi Hospital, via a skywalk that connects the station and the hospital.

The Red Line improvement project may be close to the high-speed rail system as a result of the planned shift of train site, which will cost 400 million baht more than the project’s estimated 44.15 billion ringgit.

Because the information presented is incomplete, the committee would like to know more about the cause of the design change and the outcome of discussions with the private company [builder of the high-speed coach system].

He claimed that the SRT will need to demonstrate how the place change will affect the high-speed rail system. The SRT must provide the table with files to ensure that nothing wrong happens in the future.

The problem is expected to be considered by the SRT’s table second quarter, he added.

Additionally, according to Mr. Anan, because the high-speed train system does not operate in the Ratchawithee place, opposition for travellers between the two techniques may not be allowed. The Red Line will be required if passengers want to take the electronic coach. They must first exit at Phaya Thai place.

The Red Line electric train improvement job, approved by the government in July 2016, has made no significant improvement. The SRT is also changing the project style, and the train change will call for a new EIA.

Asia Era One, a CP Group- led collaboration, will create the large- rate airport link. In 2018, it won the bidding to build the system fair 224.5 billion ringgit.

The delay in the project was caused by a number of factors, including the Covid-19 crisis, which has sparked discussions over modifying contract terms to ensure the route’s execution.