Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved a request to exempt the use of mangrove forest areas, facilitating the construction of Highway No. 3702, specifically the Ban Bang Kwai-Ban Khao Din section, which includes a bridge across the Bang Pakong River in Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province.
According to Thai News Agency, the approval follows a proposal by the Ministry of Transport to waive compliance with previous Cabinet resolutions regarding mangrove forest and coral reef management. The exemption allows the use of an area totaling 1 rai, 1 ngan, and 23.71 square wa for the construction project. The Department of Highways, which proposed the project, is expected to proceed in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The deputy government spokeswoman, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, stated that the project involves constructing a reinforced concrete bridge on Highway No. 3702, covering a distance of 2 kilometers from Ban Khlong Tha Sao to Ban Tha Kham. The bridge, which spans 555 meters in length and 11.50 meters in width, requires an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report due to its proximity to Wat Tha Sao, an ancient site. The report was approved by an expert committee in February 2022, subject to strict adherence to environmental impact mitigation measures.
The Ministry of Transport has allocated a budget of 350 million baht for the fiscal year 2022 to develop the road and bridge, aimed at connecting to Highway No. 314, enhancing traffic flow, and reducing accident risks in the area. However, as the project area is situated within a mangrove forest, an exemption from the Cabinet was necessary to proceed.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has agreed to the exemption, emphasizing the importance of adhering to environmental protection measures outlined in the EIA report. This includes compliance with regulations concerning mangrove forest conservation.
The Ministry of Interior, the Budget Bureau, and the National Economic and Social Development Board have also reviewed and approved the project, with recommendations for budget planning and public disclosure of mangrove maintenance results. The Office of the Council of State supported the Cabinet's decision, suggesting additional measures for mangrove forest preservation.