Thursday, September 10, 2009

MRTA TURNS TO GOVT FOR LOAN AFTER JICA DELAYS

       The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) wants to opt for a domestic loan, instead of taking a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), to fund the construction of the Purple Line's rolling-stock system.
       This decision came after Jica informed the MRTA that it would only consider the funding of the rolling-stock system in next March instead of this month, MRTA deputy governor Chookiat Phothayanuwat said yesterday.
       He said the MRTA was discussing the matter of the loan with the Finance Ministry's Public Debt Management Office.
       The rolling-stock system, worth Bt3.6 billion, is the last of four civil contracts for the construction of the Purple Line that would have used a loan from Jica.
       Chookiat said if a domestic loan for MRTA was approved, it expects to be able to open the bidding for the rolling-stock system early next year. The construction of the system should be completed in two years.
       CKTC, a joint venture between Ch Karnchang and Tokyo Construction, won the first civil construction contract worth Bt14.29 billion.
       Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction won the second contract worth Bt13.1 billion, while the Power Line Engineering-led consortium won the third contract worth Bt5.025 billion.
       The entire project costs Bt59.8 billion, which includes Bt9.2 billion for land expropriation, Bt1.296 billion for project design consultancy and Bt13.243 billion for the signalling and train system.
       Chookiat added that the MRTA was still waiting for Jica to approve the loan for the civil construction of the second and third contracts and believes the MRTA could officially award the deals to the bid winners within this month.
       He said the MRTA was clearing the area for CKTC to begin its construction project.
       The MRTA already submitted its investment plan on the train-signalling system, train carriages and operation to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) for consideration early this month.
       The NESDB is expected to take 60 days to complete the consideration before forwarding the plans to the Transport Ministry and the Cabinet for approval. Once approved, the MRTA plans to seek a partner to jointly invest in the systems.
       The MRTA will invest in the signalling system, train carriages and operation on a Public-Private Partnership basis.

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