Railway project studies underway

A METRO, a monorail and an automated guideway transit (AGT) system are currently undergoing feasibility studies as the government looks to reduce Phnom Penh’s traffic congestion, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said on Wednesday.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency ( Jica) is studying the construction of the AGT system. There are also two Chinese companies involved – one studying the construction of a monorail and the other of a metro, Chanthol said in April.

Speaking during a meeting on Monday, Chanthol said: “The results of the studies will be submitted to the Royal Government of Cambodia to assess and consider choosing any of the projects to address the congestion problem Phnom Penh faces today.”

Ministry of Public Works and Transport spokesman Vasim Sorya said Jica has completed its study of the AGT project but has not submitted its report to the ministry.

He said neither of the Chinese companies had completed their studies of the monorail and metro projects.

“When the Chinese companies’ studies are finished, then the ministry will submit them to the government around next year,” he said.

The government launched a bus service in 2014 and a ferry service last year to facilitate travel in Phnom Penh.

Chanthol previously said the proposed first AGT line would start at the Central Market and terminate at Phnom Penh International Airport, with a total length of 18km.

He said there were also plans to build AGT lines along some of the major roads, such as Monivong, Kampuchea Krom, Charles de Gaulle, Monireth and Veng Sreng boulevards.