SRT Governor visited the area to inspect the Mae Ka Tunnel, Phayao Province, in the double track railway construction project. Den Chai-Chiang Khong Recently, 950 meters of the Mae Ka Tunnel has been drilled. It is expected to open for service in 2028 according to the plan, with the SRT Governor stating that it will be another beautiful route suitable for tourism in the future.

Mr. Nirut Maneephan, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), visited the area to inspect the progress of the new double-track railway construction project, route Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong, distance 323 kilometers, construction budget for the entire project is 85.3 billion baht. By inspecting the construction area of the Mae Ka Tunnel, Phayao Province, 2.7 kilometers long, which is 1 of the 4 tunnels of the project located in the second contract area, Ngao-Chiang Rai section. By Mae Ka Tunnel It has a diameter of 7.4 meters and a height of 7.341 meters. Recently, 950 meters of tunnels have been able to be drilled on both sides. There is progress in drilling this tunnel at 17%, with a total drilling rate on both sides of 1.5 meters per day, with the north direction In Mueang Phayao District, the drilling rate is 1 meter per day. In the south, Ngao District, Lampang Province, the drilling rate is 0.5 meters per day, and when including the new double-track railway project. It is considered progress of approximately 3% of the total construction. The other 3 tunnels, namely Doi Luang Tunnel, Chiang Rai Province, length 3.4 kilometers, have recently been entered into the area. Tomorrow (11 Nov. 2023), SRT will visit the area to follow up on progress. As for the Ngao Tunnel, Lampang Province, with a length of 6.2 kilometers, it is considered the longest railway tunnel in Thailand. and the second tunnel in Phrae Province has a length of 1.2 meters. It is expected that both of these tunnels will begin drilling at the end of 2023.

SRT Governor said that the construction project for the new northern railway line Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong There are elevated tracks, elevated tracks, and tunnels, passing through 4 provinces: Phrae, Lampang, Phayao, and Chiang Rai. There are 26 train stations/stops, and 4 container storage and loading areas (CY), at Phrae Station, Phayao Station, and Pa Daet and Chiang Khong Station When open for service, it will reduce travel time by approximately 1-1.30 hours compared to traveling by car. It will be a train route with beautiful natural scenery along the route. Because the train will pass through mountains, bridges, and tunnels. It can definitely impress and attract both Thai and foreign tourists to use the service. From today’s visit to the area, the SRT Governor expects that this project will be completed and open for service in 2028 or the next 4 years as planned. -Thai news agency

Source: Thai News Agency