NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A controversial plan to demolish the Sima Thani flyover in Muang district to make way for a double-track railway has been given the go-ahead after businesses raised no objection.
Earlier the province's Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Thai Industries disagreed with the idea over worries it would worsen traffic in an already congested area.
But at Sunday's meeting of the project developer, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and representatives from the business sector, "they resolved to knock down the flyover," near Sima Thani Hotel, Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai said on Monday.
However, the plan will only go ahead on condition that further talks are held to find ways of relieving traffic congestion during the three-year construction period, he added.
The SRT expects construction to begin as early as July next year, once the cabinet approves the 11.5-billion-baht project.
Under the plan, the rail track will be laid under a flyover at the Pak Thong Chai Intersection and elevated to a height of 10 metres as it approaches Nakhon Ratchasima railway station. This section is part of a double-track rail route from Map Kabao in Saraburi to Thanon Chira Junction in Nakhon Ratchasima.