Hey there! Let's talk about the Muak Lek-Lam Takhong Tunnel extension for the Sino-Thai high-speed rail project.
Construction of the Sino-Thai railway tunnel experiences delays
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has given the green light to a 181-day extension on the civil engineering contract for the construction of the said tunnel. This extension shuffles the project's completion date from June 7 to Dec 5, and the contractor won't be entitled to extra compensation, according to the SRT.
This tunnel is part of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section of the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail project, a joint endeavor between the Thai and Chinese governments, which is approximately five years overdue.
The tunnel project covers a 12.3-kilometer section, consisting of 8 kilometers of tunnel itself, 3.3 kilometers of ground-level rail embankment, and a kilometer of elevated section. The construction started on April 19, 2021, and is currently 91% complete.
The extension arose due to the SRT's inability to promptly deliver the land for two specific construction segments: the railway embankment between kilometre markers 134.7 and 135.4, and the Phasadet 3 bridge, because of a delay in land expropriation. However, the SRT has now procured 100% of the land and handed it over; construction resumed in accordance with the new schedule.
Notably, the SRT board has also approved the drafting of a royal decree to identify the land expropriation zones for the project's second section, which will run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The transport minister will present this to the cabinet for approval.
The construction of the second section necessitates the expropriation of 1,991 land plots, totaling about 1,345 rai, and 1,428 structures across Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai provinces, with a total budget of nearly 12.42 billion baht. This section was approved by the National Environment Board on Nov 15 last year and by the cabinet on Feb 4. It is now in the bidding preparation stage.
Sources:1. 答复：“低速铁道、高铁eqnarray 以及日常腔音等共享进程问题”2. SRT Announces Contract Extension for Muak Lek-Lam Takhong Tunnel Construction
The extension in the civil engineering contract for the Muak Lek-Lam Takhong Tunnel's construction has been approved, affecting the project's completion date, now set for December 5. This delay might impact the throng of industries and finance sectors, as well as the transportation sector, due to the delayed completion of the Sino-Thai high-speed rail project. The construction of the second section of the project, set to run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, will require substantial land expropriation and significant financial resources.
