Partial Pink Line launch urged as traffic worsens

The State Railway of Thailand conducts a test of the Pink Line monorail at Min Buri station in Bangkok on December 9, 2021. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
On December 9, 2021, the State Railway of Thailand tests the Pink Line rail at Bangkok’s Min Buri place. ( Image: Hirunyatheb Varuth)

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, the Department of Rail Transport ( DRT) is urging the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand( MRTA ) to partially launch the Pink Line monorail’s main routes.

Ram Inthra Road may connect Khae Rai in Nonthaburi with the Min Buri neighborhood in eastern Bangkok via the 34. 5 km MRT Pink Line. Additionally, a connection between Khae Rai Station and Muang Thong Thani is being built.

The Pink Line project’s progress was followed up on yesterday by Atiphu Jittanukrao, assistant director-general of the DRT, to hasten its business launch.

According to him, the project’s main course is almost entirely finished, and work on the improvement has advanced by about 20 %.

However, it was discovered that the task had some troubles because overlapping structural problems with other agencies’ projects prevented the construction of ascending and descending sections from Chaengwatthana 14 to National Telecom channels.

The DRT has suggested half launching the new collection with Laksi and Min Buri stations as the two ends of a feed service for the Green and Red Line systems before its whole business launch second year in order to reduce traffic congestion.

The 3.2 km improvement range, according to Mr. Atiphu, may include stations at both Muang Thong Thani Lake and the latter.

When finished, the project will relieve traffic congestion and lower PM2.5 pollution, as well as make it easier for visitors to attend events and meetings held at the exhibition halls, he said.

Before a complete business launch in June, the concessionaire anticipates launching the trial run in January of next year.

A test of the Yellow Line will start on Saturday and next week, from Lat Phrao in Bangkok to Samrong in Samut Prakan, according to assistant state representative Traisuree Taisaranakul.

With five more projects to finish the course system, there are currently 11 electric teach networks covering 211.94 km of Bangkok and the nearby provinces.

Job on the Orange Line, the Airport Rail Link from the Phaya Thai-Don Mueang area, and the Purple Line are also continued, she said, in addition to the Pink Line and its improvement.