Chao Phraya promenade hits hurdle !!!

 

Construction of the 14-billion-baht Chao Phraya promenade

 faces lengthy delays after efforts to conduct a feasibility study

tripped at the first hurdle.
Two of the three contractors that had expressed interest in

 bidding for the rights to the feasibility study have withdrawn

 from the race before it even started, said Pinit Lertudomtana,

 deputy chief of the BMA’s Department of Public Works.

 Mr Pinit said only one consortium, made up of Panya

 Consultants Co, Epsilon Co and Transconsult Co, had

submitted a formal tender.

The other two — Fusion Consultant Co and a consortium

consisting of Consultants of Technology Co, Consultant of

Architecture Co and COU Co — will not take part in the bid.

 Fusion Consultant Co did not  meet the qualifications to

 compete in the bid, while the other consortium failed to

 submit a proposal, said Mr Pinit, who is also a chairman

 of the panel responsible for awarding the contract.

As only one tender has been submitted, the panel will be

 forced to propose the cancellation of the bid to

 BMA executives.

The law stipulates that more than one candidate is required

 to ensure fair competition.

 It will now be up to the BMA executives to make a decision

on how to proceed with the project, Mr Pinit said.

The delay follows heavy criticism from activists and

 academics who say the 7km riverside promenade will damage

the environment, the livelihoods of local communities and the

 diversity of the riverside cultural landscape.

The project, dubbed the “New Landmark of Thailand”, will

 stretch on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, between the

Rama VII and Pin Klao bridges.

 The winner of the BMA contract would have been awarded

 120 million baht to conduct the feasibility study for the

 promenade and map out a master plan. Under the seven-month

 contract, the winner would have been required to study the

 impact of the project on the environment, city planning and

local livelihoods, as well as its effects on the flow of the

 country's main river system.

 An environmental impact assessment is required before

 approval for the project can be sought from the Office of

 Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.

 The winner would also have been required to craft the

 terms of reference for bidding on the contract to build

 the promenade.

 Mr Pinit said if a new round of bidding for the feasibility

 study is held, the terms of reference may have to be tweaked,

particularly the existing provision that says the qualified

 bidders must be companies registered with the Council of

 Engineers.

He conceded the provision had faced heavy criticism for

 excluding architectural firms from taking part.

 If BMA executives decide to launch a new request for tender,

 the provision may have to be erased to open the field to

 more candidates, Mr Pinit added.

The government called on relevant agencies to speed up their

work on the controversial project.

 Construction was initially scheduled to begin in January next

 year but had already been pushed back to June.

 

News,General,Bangkok Post, 1November 2015.

 

My question is why this project should run if it is not
 

feasible for any benefit to the country.

 

Sincerely Yours.