State railway ‘ready’ to take over high-speed rail

State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) is ready to take over the high-speed rail ( HSR ) project that would connect Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, if the contractor hired to carry out the project– which has been delayed for five years– is unable to finish the job, its chief said on Thursday.

SRT governor Veeris Ammarapala addressed concerns over the protracted delay that were raised at a recent meeting of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee ( EECP), expressing that the organization is prepared to transfer the project from Asia Era One, a joint venture between CP Group and its partners.

The government may contemplate handing the job over to SRT if the present company is unable to make any progress in the job. He added that it will need to wait until the EECP’s proposal before acting in this way, and that a decision on the issue is anticipated by the end of January.

SRT didn’t have any problems assuming the 120-billion-baht purchase price, because it is a state firm backed by the government, he said.

According to Mr. Veeris, any existing agreements with Asia Era One will be terminated if the government decides to hire the SRT, and a five-year wait may be investigated.

The SRT main said a takeover didn’t produce more delays, as building may be based on the existing blueprint, without the need to design.

If the SRT were to take over the high-speed airport rail link project, the line would likely be operated under a Public-Private Partnership ( PPP ) model. Nevertheless, he said, the high-speed range may be managed by its company, SRT Electrified Train Co Ltd, which operates passenger service along the Red Line.

He vowed to solve the problems that are causing disruptions in the development of the area between Bang Sue and Don Mueang asap.

The government’s council on land transportation system legislation has also approved the monorail line’s proposed extension from Lat Phrao to Ratchayothin in principle. This will link the monorail line to the BTS Green Line and MRT Blue Line.

Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit made the announcement at a commitee meeting on Monday.

Due to a lack of interest, the Eastern Bangkok Monorail ( EBM )’s ( Bloomberg ) proposal to construct the 2. 6 km extension was shelved in October of last year.

Additionally, the council approved a change to the Red Line’s improvement to Mahachai in Samut Sakhon, which may then start at Wongwian Yai rather than Hua Lamphong.