MRTA approves Bt2.6 bn to consultants for Orange Line

 
  The mass-transit corridor will connect the Thailand Cultural Centre with Min Buri.
MRTA acting governor Theeraphan Tachasirinugune said the rail operator would pay Bt458 million to MHPM for project implementation services, Bt977 million to Chotjinda Consultant for project management and construction supervision and Bt1.182 billion to MAA Consultant, also for project management and construction.
The MRTA has surveyed the site areas to enable the project design to proceed. It will later remove the utility infrastructure in the areas and reduce the number of traffic lanes on affected roads in December. 
Theeraphan said that the Transport Ministry would table before the Cabinet this month the MRTA’s proposal for the 23.6 km Purple Line – from Taopoon to Ratburana – at a cost of Bt131 billion. The bidding of the project is expected to begin late this year, with construction expected to begin next year.
However it might take time before construction can begin as the project will have to adopt the government’s new procurement regulations. Also, the Finance Ministry wants to see loans from foreign institutions , such as the Asian Development Bank, help to fund the project. Foreign loans should account for 10 per cent of the project cost.If it is decided that foreign loans will be used for the project, the MRTA will require the lenders to jointly approve the process of the project development with it.
The western section of the Orange Line – from Talingchan to the Thailand Cultural Centre, costing Bt121 billion – is being assessed by the National Economic and Social Development Board.
The MRTA is expected to propose an extension of the Blue Line - from Bangkhae to Puttamonthon Sai 4 Road – at Bt21 billion. It aims to put this proposal to the State Enterprise Policy Commission this month or the next.
The MRTA is studying whether the investment for this line should proceed on the basis of a public-private partnership, among other options.