purple line bids qualify for review in second round

All bidders for the Purple Line railway project have qualified for the second-round review focusing on their construction techniques.

Ronachit Yaemsa-ard, deputy governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, yesterday said the contract should be signed this year as expected. The foundation stone-laying ceremony is scheduled for December 5 with construction set to begin in January.

The Bt36-billion route is split into three sections.

The first section, from Taopoon to Rama III Bridge, attracted the interest of three groups - Italian-Thai Development, Sino-Thai Construction and Engineering, and CKTC Joint Venture led by Ch Karnchang.

The second section, from Rama III Bridge to Klong Bang Phai Station, drew three bids from ITO Joint Venture led by Italian-Thai, CKTC Joint Venture and Sino-Thai.

The third contract, for the construction of a maintenance depot in Bang Yai and four parking lots, stirred up competition among PAR Joint Venture, Takenaka-Ritha Joint Venture, CKTC Joint Venture, Italian-Thai and Sino-Thai.

The MRTA's board also approved the plan to award the carriage supply and operating-system job to a company for the operation of the Bang Yai-Taopoon section. The MRTA will bear all expenses but also collect all fares.

"We're waiting for the Cabinet's approval. The bidding should be launched this year," he said.

On Saturday, the MRTA will open two more park-and-ride facilities at Ratchada Soi 6 and Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre to support the first subway route.

The parking lots can accommodate 3,000 vehicles and are expected to raise revenue of Bt36 million a year.