The new railway line from the Phnom Penh train station to the airport will be launched before the Khmer New Year in April, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
In addition, passenger ships from Prek Phnov to Phnom Penh and Takhmao, in an effort to resolve traffic congestion, will also be completed.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the ministry is constructing the track that links the train station to Phnom Penh International Airport, according to Khmer Time.
Three train engines from Mexico will be used for passenger transport, with each train able to hold 100 passengers.
“I will make every effort to ensure the railway from Phnom Penh to the international airport is completed before the Khmer New Year,” Mr Chanthol said.
“I would like to announce that after its completion, it will be open for people to use or test for free for three months, including the transportation by waterway.” The railway expansion project saw protests in July when local residents were told to move 15 meters from the road.
Trains will be ready by Khmer New Year in April. (KT photo by Chor Sokunthea)
Nuth Cheata, a resident of Chamkar Ov Leuk Pi village in Por Senchey district’s Kakab 2 commune, said authorities and residents have agreed to move their fences back 10 meters to allow road expansion.
According to data from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, three million vehicles were registered in 2016, including 500,000 cars and 2.5 million motorbikes.
Mr Chanthol also confirmed the number of new imported cars to Cambodia to be about 30,000 to 40,000 units per year.
The estimated number of people living in Phnom Penh was more than three million as of early 2016, according to figures provided by the municipal governor.
A Kabab 2 commune resident living near the airport, said she would use the train service, but wanted to see how effective and timely it was first.
“I will use it, but will wait to see if it is acceptable,” she said. Mr Chanthol said the government is connecting the northern railway out of Phnom Penh to Poipet city before the end of 2018 to connect the Cambodian railway to Thailand.
The government is also looking to expand some national roads from two to four lanes soon to facilitate travel and cargo transportation, he added.