TRANSPORT
Amornrat Mahitthirook
The Department of Rural Roads plans to complete its long-delayed construction of 7,000 kilometres of "dustless roads" countrywide within 18 months.
Department chief Supot Saplom said he hopes to speed up construction of asphalt roads by borrowing money domestically instead of simply waiting for annual budget allocations from the government.
The project requires more than 34 billion baht, but his department has received only 700 million baht a year for road construction.
At this level of funding there was no saying when people in the provinces would travel on safer roads without having to worry about dust.
"If we have to wait for a budget, I must say it will take a very long time to finish the project," he said.
He had discussed the idea of raising domestic loans with senior officials, including Budget Bureau chief Wutipan Wichairat and Transport Minister Santi Promphat.
He said Mr Santi agreed with the idea in principle.
However, the proposal must be approved by cabinet.
Mr Supot said he would seek cabinet approval this month.
Under the plan, Mr Supot said, his department would use its annual budget to repay the loans raised for the work.
"The investment in the asphalt roads accounts for only 5% of state mega-project spending, but it would upgrade the quality of life for more than 40 million people," he said.
If the plan is approved, construction of the roads would begin as early as May next year.
The roads could be finished in two-and-a-half years.
The plan would have the added benefit of boosting the economy through job creation, he said.
The department looks after 42,000km of roads countrywide, but only 35,000km of them are sealed.
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