Trairong: Dust-free roads project safe

Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri said on Wednesday he has no intention to cut funding for the dust-free road project, but believed the money should come from regular budget allocations and not from the long-term loans being sought under a bill still being deliberated in parliament.

Mr Trairong earlier said he was considering reviewing the dust-free roads project.  His remark drew an angry response from Bhumjaithai cabinet ministers, because the project is one of the party's flagship policies - stirring fears of another rift between parties in the coaltion government.

The deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs said  he would like to dust-free roads project to be funded by regular budget allocations, because the 400-billion-baht loans to be acquired under the bill before the parliament should be spent on megaprojects such as irrigation systems, dual rail tracks and a land bridge in the South.

The bill seeking to empower the Finance Ministry to raise 400 billion baht in loans for the Thai Khem Khaeng economic recovery programme.

"The cost-effectiveness of the dust-free roads project cannot be clearly calculated.  The project is not aimed at solving economic problems.  It is designed to cope with social problems, to prevent people from inhaling dust and suffering from respiratory ailments," Mr Trairong said.

"When the country's economy hit a slump in 2008-2009, we took short-term measures to solve problems, as was done by other countries all over the world.  The dust-free roads project was one of such measures at the time.  Therefore, it could be implemented with money from the loan bill, but would have to be completed in one year.

"Since the economy has now begun to recover it is not economically sound to spend the money from the 400 billion baht loan package on the project."

Mr Trairong cited a study by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) on all roads, not just sealed or dusty roads, in the country. The report concluded that too many roads were being built in Thailand, compared to other countries.  It suggested that the gorwth in road building should be lowered, possibly from 10 per cent this year to 9 per cent next year, he said.

He said the TDRI report suggested that the focus should be more on building dual rail tracks, irrigation sysems and other mega projects.

"There is no political agenda behind this.  I love everyone.  I support whatever is done if the intentions are good," Mr Trairong said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he believed Mr Trairong understands how a coalition government works and that all parties in the coalition are required to be in close consultation, particularly over a possible budget cut.

He was confident the matter would not escalate to the etent that other coalition parties would switch camps and join with the Puea Thai Party.

"As the government's manager, I don't see this as a problem.  My duty is to keep the coalition parties in touch. 

"Nobody should be discouraged by trivial matters.  We should respect each other's opinions and talks should end in  mutual agreement," Mr Suthep said.