July 04, 2018, Phnom Penh to Pursat to Battambang | Royal Railways Train Service is a Go!

July 04,2018 Phnom Penh —> Pursat —> Battambang From FreshNewsAsia via Google translate:

(Pursat): The railroad from Pursat to Batdour and Battambang, a total length of 166 kilometers, will be put on hold on July 4, 2018 after several years of disruption. By Pursat – Battambang (134 km) and Battambang – Phnom Penh (32 km) Metal retaining can support up to 15 tons / thigh. The temporary launch of the railway from Pursat to Battambang was presided over by HE Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport.

It is important to note that the railroad stretching north of Phnom Penh from Phnom Penh to Poipet (Cambodia-Thailand border), a total of 386 kilometers, was built between 1929 and 1942 during the French colonial period. However, the railroad was disrupted during Cambodia’s 70s war. The railroad from Phnom Penh to Sisophon, Banteay Meanchey, was restarted after the Pol Pot regime was demolished but was disappeared in 2006 due to the chaos. The railroad from Sisophon to Poipet was disrupted in the 1970s, due to the heavy weight of bombs in 1973, and after the Pol Pot regime was overturned.

After the war has been completely overrun and corresponds to the current necessity of transport, the railroad track has been restored and re-operated continuously. The railroad from Poipet to Sisophon is about 48 kilometers long and officially opened in the morning of April 4, 2018. The railroad from Sisophon to Battambang city, 65 km long, was launched on April 29, 2018. Roads from Battambang to Pursat, 107 kilometers long, will be put into operation on May 29, 2018. Iron strips from Pursat to Phnom Penh are now being put to use today. Mr. Sun Chanthol said that the restoration of the railroad from Phnom Penh to Poipet town of Banteay Meanchey cost about 96.6 million US dollars. Of which, approximately $ 13 million is owned by the Asian Development Bank, and $ 83.6 million is the government’s budget.