Transport Ministry will propose a modified route in MRT orange line
BANGKOK, 27 May 2015 (NNT) – Transport Minister ACM Prajin Janthong says his ministry will propose a modification to the MRT Orange Line subway to the meeting of the Commission for the Management of Land Traffic on June 10.
The minister suggested the section that starts from the Cultural Center to Minburi be changed to Rama 9 Road to Minburi instead, to minimize the construction cost.
He said if the commission prefers the original route, the project can be constructed right after the Cabinet approves it.
However, if the commission opts for a new route, the project needs a new Environmental Impact Assessment study which must be reported to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board for consideration again. The new plan would prompt a delay to the construction of the Orange Line by 6 – 18 months, ACM Prajin said.
According to the minister, the original Cultural Center – Minburi route will cover 21 kms costing 95 billion baht while the new Rama 9 – Minburi route will cover 20 kms requiring a budget of 91 billion baht. The whole Orange Line subway runs from Talingchan southern district to Minburi suburban district in northeastern Bangkok.
Source: http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-transport-ministry-will-propose-a-modified-route-in-mrt-orange-line/90787/
