Construction of the first mass transit line in Nakhon Ratchasima could start by 2020 after cabinet approval, an academic has said.
Rattaphol Pueboobpaphan, a railway expert at Suranaree University of Technology, said the first phase of the light rail construction is expected to commence by 2020.
He was speaking during the third public forum held in the northeastern province by the university and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP).
The 14-billion-baht project is currently awaiting approval from the Cabinet. Upon its completion, the network will have two lines -- Green and Orange -- with the combined length of 21 kilometres, he said.
The Orange service will have 17 stops starting from the Pradok junction and running towards Changpuak road, and the Green route will have 18 stops. Its route will start from the Save One market and will continue towards Ban Ko.
Wilairat Sirisophonsin, the deputy OTP director-general, said that the province’s status as the Northeast’s economic centre and travel hub could increase traffic buildup in the future. A public transport network will help ease the situation, she said.
The agency conducted two public hearings and 12 meetings with local people before establishing a masterplan for a light rail system in the province.
The masterplan envisions a total of six lines covering the municipality and neighbouring areas.