Authorities have approved an 82.5 billion-baht project to rehabilitate Bangkok’s Klong Saen Saep water transport route over the span of 11 years.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the Cabinet gave the green light for the plan, which encompasses 84 sub-projects and aims to address the issue of floating garbage and wastewater that empties into the canal.
Over 807,600 cubic meters of untreated water was released into the canal daily, causing a surge in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the range of 6.9-12.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Water becomes polluted when BOD exceeds 8 mg/L.
According to the government spokesperson, eight agencies will work to promote transport safety along the canal, as well as improve the surrounding landscape, eliminate pollution, curb the destruction of natural resources and manage water resources through the plan’s 84 sub-projects.
The agencies comprise the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Royal Irrigation Department, Chachoengsao provincial office, the Wastewater Management Authority, the Marine Department, the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion, the Pollution Control Department and the Department of Industrial Works.
The government will cover 81% of the project’s budget while the remainder will come from the BMA and public-private partnership funding.
Improved water treatment capacity is expected to help accelerate the drainage process and expand flood prevention areas in the capital. Additional piers will also be constructed along the Klong Saen Saep transport route to accommodate 800-1,000 daily passengers who commute using electric boats. (NNT)
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