Double-track bids delay

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The Transport Ministry has called off bidding set for today for construction contracts concerning the double-track rail project.

The move follows a ministry decision to adopt certain changes to two sections of the project linking the Map Kabao station in Saraburi with Thanon Chira Junction station in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The budget for one section being altered will rise by 2.9 billion baht and construction time will be extended by 19 months, while the budget for the other section will rise by 93 million baht with construction taking 17 months longer than initially planned.

The alterations were decided at a meeting of various parties at the Transport Ministry on Wednesday, Chatchawal Wongchon, president of Nakhon Ratchasima’s chamber of commerce, said yesterday.

At the meeting, chaired by Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit, it was agreed that eight roads would be built underneath the 5.1km long elevated section of the railway to resolve disputes surrounding points where the future railway will cross existing roads, Mr Chatchawal said.

Other issues agreed at the meeting regarding the railway’s construction in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district included raising a 5.1km section by 8 metres.

Meanwhile, the Thanon Chira Junction station will be constructed 2m off the ground, while the Sima Thani Hotel bridge will be demolished and replaced by two U-turns, he said.

On the other section of the railway to run through Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district, the railway will be elevated 3m off the ground at two points, he said.

The details will be sent to the cabinet for final approval as the changes will require extra funding.