The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has urged the Transport Ministry to consider its proposed additional budget of Bt7.65 billion for this year to invest in the Sriracha-Kaeng Koi double-track rail route project.

The project, being part of the country's logistics strategy development plan, will help complete the rail system for transporting products and goods more efficiently, SRT chief finance officer Arak Ratbariharn said.

Earlier, the Cabinet had approved the double-track rail route from Chachoengsao to Laem Chabang with a budget of Bt5.8 billion.

Arak said having the double-track rail route to Kaeng Koi in Sara Buri would be the connecting point for goods and products being transported from the North and the Northeast.

Moreover, the lines would be constructed at the Kaeng Koi station to make it more convenient for merchandisers to transport goods. This will help boost transport.

"The ministry has emphasised on development and improvement of transport modes by marine and rail systems to facilitate quick and convenient movement of commodities as rice, sugar, tapioca, rubber, and steel at low costs," a source at the Transport Ministry said.

For the fiscal 2007, the projects allocated are the facility development project at the multi-purpose pier with an investment of Bt159 billion, the Bt1.2-billion Chachoengsao-Sriracha, Laem Chabang double-track rail route project, the Bt897-million road link to the Suvarnbhumi Airport and the elevated South road project.

The second Chiang Saen Port project needs an investment of Bt11 million.

The procurement of diesel locomotives for seven trains would require investment of Bt122 million while Bt825 million is allotted for augmenting rail tracks.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation