Rain, floods cause delays in North-South Commuter Railway construction
The 38-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 1 railway in Balagtas, Bulacan on Monday, June 14, 2021, the 1st segment of the massive North-South Commuter Railway. It has 10 stations, spanning the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela Meycauayan and Malolos, and is set to open in 2024. Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The recent heavy rainfall and flooding caused by typhoons and the southwest monsoon have caused delays in the construction of North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said this on Monday after he received reports from contractors and consultants for NSCR’s northern segment.
This part connects Pampanga and Metro Manila.
“Floods hit ongoing construction of several rail stations, which were caused by increasing volume of water in nearby rivers,” the project’s general consultants told the DOTr secretary in a meeting.
They added delays may stretch to ten days or possibly two weeks more.
Due to this, Bautista ordered contractors to implement a catch-up plan.
Meanwhile, clean-up operations are being carried out.
NSCR is a 147-kilometer rail transport route comprising 37 stations and 464 train cars.
It stretches across 28 cities and municipalities in Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.
Once fully operational, it is expected to serve over a million passengers a day.
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