Purple Line electric rail construction halted due to floods

Construction of the Thai capital’s Purple Line electric rail project has been suspended after floodwaters flowed into several spots of the construction site, Ronnachit Yaemsaard, acting governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said on Tuesday.

Asked how and whether the flooding will affect and delay the planned construction, Mr Ronnachit said that MRTA and other relevant officials will follow up and assess the situation when the water recedes.

The acting governor admitted that the inundation obstructed the construction and was beyond any expectation. However, the MRTA will likely allow private construction companies to delay their work in accordance with the actual suspension period.

The Purple Line electric mass transit route starts from Bang Yai, in northwest Bangkok, to Bang Sue.

So far, the Blue Line electric rail project (the Bang Sue -Tha Phra and Hua Lamphong – Bang Khae sections) has not yet been impacted, Mr Ronnachit added.

In a related concern, the MRTA executive ensured passengers that the MRT metro operator has installed more anti-flood protection, Stop Logs, at entrances to increase protection against flooding.

In addition, the MRTA and Bangkok Metro Pcl (BMCL), the MRT metro operator, jointly have built protection at 70 out of 140 other at-risk locations and are completing the rest.

Meanwhile, State Railway of Thailand Governor YutthanaThapcharoen said the Red Line electric rail project (Taling Chan-Bang Sue and Bang Sue-Rangsit sections) can continue construction, but officials concerned will closely monitor the water level in Nonthaburi’s Bang Kruai district and at the construction site near the Chao Phraya River

 

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