2nd army chief backs calls to elevate town’s rail route

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Second Army Region chief Wichai Shaechohor has thrown his support behind calls by residents and businesses to redesign the controversial dual-track rail route through the city so the section becomes elevated to avoid dividing the city in half.

The original design — in which the 187km track would split the Muang Nakhon Ratchasima municipality down the middle without building crossing points for motorists — has drawn opposition from various state and private agencies which have called on the project operator, the State Railway of Thailand, to review it.

Lt Gen Wichai said the opposition was understandable. If the plan was kept as it is, the new rail route would trouble the residents in the crowded city.

Representatives of the private sector, including Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, yesterday asked him to help convince various agencies to alter the format of the route.

Under the original plan, the track will connect Chira Road train junction in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district and Khon Kaen in the Northeast.

A 7km section of the rail track will cut through roads in the municipality in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima in 15 spots. However, railroad crossings for vehicles will not be built as the track will be fenced off with 2-metre walls built along it.

It is feared the design will cause traffic problems and complicate the city zoning management, which will eventually deal a blow to the local economy in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima, an economic hub of the province, Lt Gen Wichai said.

The 2nd Army Region headquarters, more commonly known as Suranai military camp, is also located in the Muang Nakhon Ratchasima municipality.

Project observers have suggested the government solve the problem by building an elevated track as it passes through the city, similar to the plan it had in store for building parts of the dual track route through Khon Kaen.

All ideas must go through a public consultation process, Lt Gen Wichai said.