BMA, MRTA vie to run mass-transit project

The Cabinet yesterday ordered relevant state agencies to review the Green Line mass-transit construction project.

The move will help decide whether the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) or the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) will oversee the project.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat yesterday said Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat would meet with the relevant state agencies on the matter, including the Interior Ministry, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the BMA.

Recently, the BMA informed the Interior Ministry and the NESDB it wanted to oversee the project.

The Green Line will be divided into two routes. Construction of the Dark-Green Line from Morchit-Saphan Mai will cost Bt36.685 billion, while that of the Light-Green Line of Sukhumvit Soi 107 (Soi Baring)-Samut Prakan will cost Bt28.147 billion.

Meanwhile, all consortia bidding for the two Purple Line contracts have been found to be qualified in the technical round. The MRTA opened their bidding documents yesterday to evaluate their technical qualifications.

Bidders for the first contract were Italian-Thai Development, CKTC Joint Venture and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction. For the second contract, the bidders were CKTC Joint Venture, ITON Joint Venture and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction.

The MRTA will open the documents for the bidding prices next month.