BANGKOK, 14 February 2012 – The cabinet has given a green light for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to request a loan from the Ministry of Finance to fund the extension of the MRT blue and green lines.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Pakdiharn Himathongkham has disclosed the cabinet’s resolution approving the Ministry of Transport’s proposal to obtain a loan from the Finance Ministry for the MRTA’s payment for construction and consultation of the two lines as well as for other expenses.
With the budget of 54.4 billion baht, the extension of the MRT blue line will cover the Hua Lamphong-Bangkae and Bangsue-Tha Phra routes. Meanwhile, the green line extension between Bearing and Samutprakarn will be carried out under the budget of 17.8 billion baht.
Additionally, the Bureau of the Budget has already been appointed to allocate part of the annual budget to pay off the MRTA’s loan and interest, as well as other relevant expenses.
