The potential for a Light Railway system to bridge Phnom Penh with its new airport and the city’s anticipated metro network was showcased by representatives from China Metro Group and Guangzhou Metro Group. The presentation took place during a meeting with Cambodia’s Inter-Ministry Committee, as announced by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
During this session, the Chinese delegations outlined their comprehensive feasibility study for the railway project, seeking further insights and recommendations from the Cambodian committee. The meeting, held in Phnom Penh, was spearheaded by Sun Chanthol, the Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodia Development Council, who was tasked with leading the discussions alongside the Inter-Ministry Committee, including the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Peng Ponea.
The deliberations focused on the integration of the Light Railway within the broader urban landscape of Phnom Penh, considering factors such as the city’s expansion, population dynamics, current road conditions, and previous feasibility studies related to urban rail systems. Deputy Prime Minister Chanthol contributed to the conversation by sharing insights from international rail systems, including Japan’s Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) and China’s monorail and subway projects, drawing parallels and distinctions to aid in the decision-making process.
This strategic meeting was prompted by Deputy Prime Minister Chanthol’s recent visit to Guangzhou, where he observed the operations of the Guangzhou Metro, a project developed by Guangzhou Metro Group. The visit offered a glimpse into the advanced technological and digital systems employed in managing the extensive network, which includes around 50 lines, showcasing the potential benefits such infrastructure could bring to Phnom Penh.
The initiative reflects Cambodia’s ambition to enhance its urban transportation infrastructure by integrating modern rail systems, aiming to streamline connectivity between key city points and support the growing urban population’s mobility needs.
