Transport Minister Prajin Juntong plans to seek cabinet approval to add 8.1 billion baht to the budget allocated for construction of the Red Line electric train project, running from Bang Sue to Rangsit. Planning changes which incur additional costs will be discussed at the weekly cabinet meeting next week, ACM Prajin explained during a field inspection of the construction sites.
Construction of the Bang Sue-Rangsit mass transit route is behind schedule because of changes to track and station structure designs. Thiti Wannamontha
The budget increase would cover three components of the new line — the construction of a Bang Sue station and train repair centre; the elevation of the line pathway, which is 26.6km long; and railway works.
They will require additional expenses of 4.3 billion, 3.3 billion and 473 million baht, respectively, the Ministry of Transport has estimated.
Other changes include the railway lining inside Bang Sue station, shifting from three to four railway tracks, platform extensions on the terminal's third level and adding rails leading to the repair centre.
Following the site visit, ACM Prajin admitted that modifications as well as infrastructural obstacles have slowed the construction process, and delayed the project's completion.
The Red Line electric train will not be accessible before 2018, a year later than originally planned. The Transport Ministry earlier expected the Red Line project would be done in 2017.
"Intermediary goals set by the ministry have not been completed as a result of complications the construction team faced while relocating water pipes and electricity lines,'' he said.
"Progress will be made once the cabinet endorses his latest proposal, he said. If the government authorises the new layout, it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance in charge of looking for financial sources.
Transport permanent secretary Soithip Traisuth recently announced the plan to link the Red Line terminal with the new Sri Rat Outer Ring Road Expressway, aimed at improving traffic flow, especially when the Bang Sue central terminal will become the transport hub.
On the relocation of Mo Chit 2 intercity bus terminal, the transport minister insisted the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's unit must be relocated to make space for the Red Line construction. The Ministry of Transport, however, assured the BMTA will continue offering services at Bang Sue station.
The government is looking at options regarding sites of at least 100 rai which might accommodate a new passenger bus terminal. So far, there are two choices in Bangkok's suburbs: a plot of land to the north of Future Park shopping mall in Rangsit covering both the eastern and western sides of Viphavadi Rangsit Road, and the surrounding areas of Bang Pa-In highway.
The Transport Co Ltd, in charge of finding sites and estimating costs, must present the Ministry of Transport with a suitable option by the end of 2014, he said.
ACM Prajin also said the property of the Treasury department, now being used as the skytrain's repair centre, could end up being turned into a small bus station. The centre is near the old Mo Chit station opposite Chatuchak Park on Phaholyothin Road.
The ministry says it might be suitable as a small bus station, but says it needs to do further examinations, ACM Prajin said.