A proposal for a new boat service along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal will soon be submitted to the cabinet for consideration, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday.
Gen Anupong gave the assurance after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday he wanted the Transport Ministry to work with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and launch a boat service on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal, to relieve traffic congestion between Hua Lampong and the Chao Phraya River.
Gen Prayut said he had been waiting two years to see this happen, but the project had not even started. He wanted it up and running as soon as possible, or the government would operate the service itself using flat-bottomed boats and would demolish all obstructing bridges.
Gen Anupong said the Interior Ministry was preparing a proposal for the cabinet. The ministry would also consult the BMA and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment about the project.
The new service had been delayed by the problem of wastewater in the canal, which must be solved first.
Flushing out the wastewater and cleaning up the canal required a systematic approach, and include all connecting canals such as Khlong Lat Phrao and Khlong Saen Saep, he said.
Gen Anupong said the problem of pollution in the canal was much more difficult to solve than the more general problem with garbage.