Korat Rejoices! SRT Announces Elevated Double-Track Railway Design for 16 km Through City, High-Speed Train and Double-Track to be Completed Before 2029 World Horticultural Expo
Siam Rath, July 24, 2024, 1:43 PM
On July 24, at the 4th-floor conference room of the new Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall, Kittisak Thirawatthana, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, chaired a meeting with the Subcommittee on Land Traffic Management of Nakhon Ratchasima (JCRNM) at their 4th session of 2024. Representatives from government and private sectors, as well as the general public, attended the meeting.
In agenda item 3.2, a representative from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) provided an update via Zoom on the progress of the high-speed and double-track railway project between Map Kabao and Chira Road Junction, addressing concerns from Korat residents. The Cabinet, led by Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachot, approved the adjustment of the design to an elevated route through the city, covering a 16 km stretch from Koke Khaot Station to Chira Road Junction. The plan includes constructing an elevated railway over the bypass bridge and Simathani Bridge, then lowering the height to approximately 5.5 meters to accommodate the second-floor platforms at the new Nakhon Ratchasima Railway Station and Chira Road Junction Station. The project is currently in the design consultation phase, focusing on connecting routes to Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani, scheduled for August 6.
The working group for both the high-speed and double-track railway projects will hold joint discussions to align and optimize the design for both projects, ensuring technical feasibility. The next steps include seeking Cabinet approval for the budget framework, conducting public hearings, and preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. Construction is set to begin immediately after these approvals. The high-speed and double-track railways are expected to be operational before the World Horticultural Expo in Kong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, in 2029.
"Department of Railways" Checks Readiness! On July 28, the dual-track railway line in the Isan region, featuring the longest tunnel in Thailand at 42.9 km, will open.
Daily News, July 25, 2024, 5:46 PM
Transportation Innovation
The Department of Railways has checked the readiness for the opening of the dual-track railway in the Isan region, covering the Mab Ka Bao-Muak Lek Mai/Ban Dae Ma-Khlong Khanan Chit section, totaling 42.9 km, including Thailand's two longest tunnels. The service will commence on July 28, with full safety systems in place within the tunnels.
On July 25, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) reported that executives and officials from the DRT visited the dual-track railway construction project on the Northeastern Line (Isan) between Mab Ka Bao and Chira Road Junction. They inspected readiness in construction, facilities, safety, and services before the 42.9 km dual-track railway opens on July 28, 2024. This includes the Mab Ka Bao-Muak Lek Mai section, 13.20 km long, and the Ban Dae Ma-Khlong Khanan Chit section, 29.70 km long. Representatives from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and contractors, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited and Right Tunneling Public Company Limited, were present.
During this inspection, the DRT checked the construction route, including the 13.20 km Mab Ka Bao-Muak Lek section, which passes through Thailand's longest tunnel, Pha Sadet Tunnel (Tunnel 1). Located between Mab Ka Bao and Hin Lap stations, this is a dual single-track tunnel, 7.50 meters wide and 7.00 meters high, spanning 5.41 km, making it the longest railway tunnel in Thailand. Additionally, the Hin Lap Tunnel (Tunnel 2), situated between Hin Lap and Muak Lek stations, is a single dual-track tunnel, 11.0 meters wide and 7.30 meters high, covering 265 meters.
The Pha Sadet Tunnel is equipped with comprehensive safety systems, including ventilation, fire alarm, fire suppression, CCTV, backup power supply, lighting, intrusion detection, oxygen gas detection (not less than 18%), carbon monoxide gas detection (not more than 70 ppm), and sulfur dioxide gas detection (not more than 0.2 ppm). If any of these values are detected outside the set standards, the ventilation system will automatically activate. The tunnel also has emergency phones, a SCADA system, and heat detection using fiber optics.
Additionally, the Pha Sadet Tunnel has an emergency evacuation walkway along the railway and a cross passage between the two tunnels every 500 meters, totaling 11 locations, as well as 5 equipment rooms. A control room is located at the northern end of the Pha Sadet Tunnel for monitoring and managing any abnormalities within the tunnel, in accordance with NFPA 130 standards.
On July 5, the SRT conducted an emergency evacuation drill for passengers in case of an incident within the Pha Sadet Tunnel. On July 28, 2024, the dual-track railway in the Isan region will officially open, covering a total distance of 42.90 km. The route will start from Mab Ka Bao station to Muak Lek station, passing through the Pha Sadet and Hin Lap tunnels. The train will then divert to the old single-track line before reaching the new Muak Lek station, as the elevated railway at the new Muak Lek station is awaiting government approval before construction can proceed. The train will then resume on the dual-track line from the turnout point at junction 3 (turnout 102A) north of Ban Dae Ma station.
Up trains will pass turnout 102B (locked in a turning position) and continue on the dual track to Khlong Khanan Chit station, with Ban Dae Ma station using the down track jointly. The old railway line through Pha Sadet and Hin Lap stations will still be used for cement freight trains, which run 8-10 trains daily, as well as special tourist trains. The dual-track railway service aims to provide more convenient travel for the public, reduce travel time with the rail transport system, and enhance operational efficiency using the E-token system, which is safe and meets international standards.
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