Bangkok: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is preparing to develop public services on railway land. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop public services on railway land to provide convenience and safety for the public.
According to Thai News Agency, the signing took place at Bangkok City Hall 2, where Mr. Veerit Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, and Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement authorizes Bangkok to oversee, maintain, and provide public services on SRT land. The services include land and drainage maintenance, transportation, traffic management and engineering, maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of the city, and other infrastructure-related tasks on roads within SRT land.
Mr. Wirit explained that the MOU aims to enable Bangkok to efficiently provide public services through tasks such as road and traffic construction, improvement, and repair, parking and traffic management, drainage system construction and maintenance, and lighting system construction and maintenance. These tasks will fall within the authority of Bangkok in accordance with relevant laws.
This collaboration marks a significant step in integrating efforts between the State Railway of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The partnership is expected to ensure efficient, comprehensive, and continuous management of public utilities and infrastructure in Bangkok, positively impacting travel and the public's quality of life.
Mr. Wirit emphasized the importance of this cooperation, stating that while the SRT is committed to ensuring citizen safety, it lacks the necessary manpower and expertise for maintenance services. By entrusting infrastructure maintenance to the BMA, an agency with the requisite expertise, efficiency and safety in area management will be enhanced.
The cooperation will cover areas including Kamphaeng Phet Roads 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, canal bridges, railway overpasses, U-turn bridges, and the Bang Sue railway underpass. The project will also address lighting and drainage systems for tunnels on Kamphaeng Phet Road 6 and Wongwian Yai-Talat Phlu Roads. The MOU is valid for 15 years, commencing on the date of signing, to ensure sustainable convenience and safety for road users.