[PHNOM PENH POST]
EXPERTS have pegged the cost of a railway to link to Vietnam at US$686
million, after yesterday announcing the conclusion of a feasibility
study for the construction of the link from Kampong Speu province to the
border with Vietnam.
The proposed railway line would plug the largest missing link on the planned Singapore to Kunming, China rail line.
The
Third Railway Survey and Design Institute from the Chinese Railway
Ministry had conducted the study since July 2009 with US$3 million in
assistance, a release said.
The 257 kilomtere link was estimated
to cost some US$686 million, not including settlement compensation for
residents affected by the project, it said.
Officials could not be reached yesterday to confirm if funding for the link had yet been secured.
The
study was conducted in collaboration with Cambodia’s concerned
ministries and institutions, including on-site study and aerial
photographs.
“The study results show that the railroad stretch of
257 kilometres from … Oudong district of Kampong Speu province, to
Snuol district in Kratie province, to Valy [in Vietnam],” it said.
“The
project will provide huge economic benefits to Cambodia, especially on
the development of agriculture and mineral resources.”
The statement said the study result will be submitted to Prime Minister Hun Sen to make a decision on the project.
The
Asian Development Bank is presently spearheading a project to revamp
the Kingdom’s existing rail links, including the 254 kilometre South
Line from the capital to Sihanoukville, and the 388 North Line from
Phnom Penh to the border with Thailand.
Toll Royal Railways, sole
commissionaire for the railway, began running trains between Phnom Penh
and Kampot province on the first reopened stretch in October last year.
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