More double-track sections in the national railway network are set to open this year. These new facilities are expected to greatly shorten travel times for commuters as well as reduce costs for logistics operators.
The caretaker government has announced its roadmap to open more sections of double-track railroads on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines operated by the State Railway of Thailand. The announcement was made by Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek.
The sections scheduled for opening this year are the 145-kilometer section on the Northern Line from Lopburi to Pak Nam Pho, the Bandai Ma – Khlong Khanan Chit section on the Map Kabao – Thanon Chira Junction route on the Northeastern Line, and the Bang Saphan Noi – Chumphon section on the Nakhon Pathom – Chumphon route of the Southern Line.
Two new construction projects namely Den Chan – Chaing Rai – Chiang Khong railroad on the Northern Line, and Ban Phai – Mukdahan – Nakhon Phanom are in progress.
The completion of the planned phase of the double-track railroad conversion, spanning 700 kilometers of services, would increase railroad capacity, allow operators to run more frequent services, and cut down on travel time by at least one hour.
According to the deputy spokesperson, the caretaker government has already planned the second phase of the double-track railway project, which will create a railway network with a combined length of more than 3,000 kilometers, serving some 50 provinces by 2029.
This project would enable freight trains to increase their operational speed from 29 to 60 kilometers per hour, and enable passenger trains to reach the operational speed of 100-120 kilometers per hour. The proposed project will however need to be picked up by the new government. (NNT)
