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The Cambodian Railway TrackerGMS Rehabilitation of the Railway in Cambodia
As Cambodia revives an old rail network, people who used to reside along the railways now enjoy better living conditions in new resettlement sites. The Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank are working with the Royal Government of Cambodia and other donor partners to rehabilitate the national railway in Cambodia. The existing railway has fallen into a state of significant disrepair following years of neglect and vandalism dating back to the Khmer Rouge era. The new railway will position Cambodia as a true-subregional transport hub, creating new jobs and business opportunities in the manufacturing and logistic services sectors. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Cambodia's transport system will also be enhanced by enabling the efficient and safe transport of heavy, bulky, and hazardous cargo. Through these benefits the project will increase the competitiveness of the Cambodian economy. View the Public Information Booklet. [ PDF ] Track project progress:
22 May 2012ADB releases up-to-date factsheets on Railway Rehabilitation progress ADB has prepared the following four factsheets providing updates on progress made on the Rehabilitation of the Railway in Cambodia Project:
26 March 2012ADB Statement on Replacement Cost Study affected households Railway Project The External Monitoring Organization (EMO) recently issued a report indicating that at the time households were compensated and relocated, the compensation rates provided for housing materials and reconstruction labor were at market prices. The Replacement Cost Study of the EMO's 13th Social Monitoring Report shows that in some sites, such as Phnom Penh, rates were adjusted upward to ensure alignment with prevailing market rates. In addition to monetary compensation, households were able to retain the materials of their original structures and have them transported, free of charge, to the new site. At every relocation site, households are also provided with individual lots equipped with sanitation facilities, as well as electricity and water supply connections. Households who have had to move—the vast majority of whom never enjoyed ownership of the land they resided on—will be granted full legal title to these new home lots after five years of occupancy. We share concerns raised by NGOs about the indebtedness of some families following their move, and are committed to ensuring that families who have had to move end up at least as well off, if not better off, than they were before their move. Livelihood programs are being strengthened and expanded to ensure families are provided with income earning opportunities. 20 March 2012ADB Statement on Suspension of TOLL Royal Railways Operations in Cambodia The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been informed that Toll Group of Australia and Royal Group of Cambodia (Toll Royal Railways) have decided to suspend all train operations in Cambodia for one year beginning in April. Construction delays have occurred because of last year's catastrophic floods, as well as land acquisition, resettlement and equipment mobilization processes that have taken longer than expected. ADB is concerned that if trains used for rehabilitation works are no longer available, the suspension could contribute to further construction delays. In spite of these delays, the Southern rail line linking Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is expected to open for commercial traffic in October 2012, while the line from Phnom Penh to Bat Deung in Kampong Speu province is expected to open in May 2012. ADB shares the Cambodian Government's commitment to completing the railway project and ensuring that the rehabilitated railway directly contributes to sustainable economic growth and development for Cambodia and its people. Once completed, the railway will directly link to Cambodia's national highway network and sea and inland water transport systems. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Cambodia's transport system will be measurably enhanced by enabling the efficient and safe transport of heavy, bulky, and hazardous cargos. 14 March 2012ADB: Railway Rehabilitation Project and Railway Operations two separated processes Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its development partners are providing over $100 million to rehabilitate the 650 kilometers of Cambodia's national railway, which has fallen into a state of significant disrepair following years of neglect. The Royal Government of Cambodia has granted a joint venture between Toll Holdings Ltd. of Australia and the Royal Group of Cambodia (called Toll Royal Railways) a business concession to operate the railway. These operations are entirely separate from the railway rehabilitation project. Any changes regarding the business concession would be a matter between the Government and Toll Royal Railways. The rehabilitation of the railway is ongoing, and ADB and other development partners continue to work closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia to move the project forward. Once completed, the new railway will position Cambodia as a subregional transport hub, creating new jobs and business opportunities, especially in the country's manufacturing and logistic services sectors. Any questions about Toll Royal Railway operations in Cambodia should be directed to Toll Royal Railways. 
Trainees appreciated the clear illustrations of the Grievance Redress Process Poster. Photos by Sokha Ouk & Arnold Marseille. More photos.
2 March 2012Training on Resettlement and Grievance Procedures completed in all provinces The training, jointly conducted by project staff and consultants of the Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC) and ADB, provided a more hands-on follow-up on an earlier training on resettlement policies and principles held in July/August 2011. Supported by specifically designed training materials—a Resettlement Quick Reference Guide (English | Khmer), and a clearly illustrated Grievance Redress Process Poster (English | Khmer), trainees were given exercises in the afternoon sessions using information provided in the morning sessions and existing complaints as submitted by affected people. The new approach and materials were much appreciated by the participants. "I now really understand the logic behind the procedures and how to implement them", was a remark frequently made by trainees. At the same time most participants regretted that they did not received this kind of training at a much earlier stage of the project, since the majority of affected people have already gone through compensation and resettlement procedures. However, particular local officials saw great benefit in gaining this understanding for future projects. IRC and ADB are also preparing similar training materials and approaches to prepare authorities and affected people on the effective implementation of the Extended Income Restoration Program by Self-Help Groups in each resettlement location. 13 February 2012ADB will carefully review recommendations in recent report on railway resettlement MANILA, PHILIPPINES (13 February 2012) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today released the following statement on findings contained in a recent Bridges Across Borders Cambodia (BABC) report: ADB is constantly striving to improve project implementation. "On-the-ground" feedback from BABC and other key civil society actors in Cambodia is valuable and this report is a good example of how monitoring by civil society can help improve a project's implementation. ADB will carefully review the recommendations set forth in the report and is committed to working closely with the Government of Cambodia to address outstanding issues concerning the Cambodia Railway Rehabilitation Project. ADB is also committed to ensuring that persons resettled under the project are not adversely affected and have opportunities to improve their lives and livelihoods. On 21 November 2011, ADB's Office of the Special Project Facilitator - which facilitates solutions to concerns brought forward by persons affected by ADB-supported projects - received a complaint about resettlement under the project. On 11 January 2012, the complaint was deemed eligible for the consultation phase of the review and assessment process. This consultation phase aims to help people affected by ADB-assisted projects in finding solutions to their concerns and problems. It is led by ADB's Special Project Facilitator, who reports directly to ADB's President. The review and assessment of the complaint involves one-on-one interviews with persons affected by the project and other major stakeholders, and was just concluded on 10 February 2012. A Review and Assessment Report will be prepared and shared with the major stakeholders for comments. Some of the concerns raised in the BABC report are still in the process of being addressed, and ADB is fully committed to ensuring full compliance with its safeguards. As with all resettlement programs, compensation and income restoration are complex and difficult challenges. In an effort to expand income restoration activities for families who have been affected by the project, AusAID provided additional grant financing of AUD 1 million (USD 960,000 equivalent) in November 2011, and discussions about further expansion are ongoing. The External Monitoring Organization working on the project is also finalizing its report on compensation rates, which is expected to be completed later this month, and which will guide any needed rate adjustments. In Cambodia, where land ownership rights are still in the process of being redefined after private land ownership was abolished by the Khmer Rouge regime, resettlement is an inherently complex process. The vast majority of families resettled under the project had no land titles for the properties they occupied. Notwithstanding the issues that still need to be resolved, many families resettled by the project will have the opportunity to own legal land titles for the first time in their lives, with improved living conditions and better access to water and electricity provided in the new communities. While resettlement challenges continue to be seriously addressed, significant progress is being made on other railway rehabilitation work. The project is upgrading 610 kilometers of Cambodia's dilapidated rail tracks, and reconstructing an additional 48 kilometers of missing rail link. Part of the rehabilitated rail line is already operational, and by the end of 2013 Cambodia will have a fully functioning national railway again, increasing the competitiveness of the country's economy, and bringing a range of economic benefits to Cambodia and its people. View additional information about ADB's Accountability Mechanism. 
The missing link nearly completed. Photo by Sothea Ros. More photos.
30 January 2012Railway track reaches Poipet The 42 kilometers of railway reconstruction between Serei Saophoan and Poipet is nearly in completion. Outstanding works are the six kilometers rail line linking Poipet and the border of Thailand which has just been started. This stretch of the 642 kilometer railway restored under the Cambodia Railway Rehabilitation Project is known as the missing link. Its completion will mean an historic moment in Cambodia's railway history, creating for the first time a train connection with Thailand in Northeast Cambodia.
27 January 2012IRC holds final consultation for undecided affected households in Phnom Penh 
Public consultation for undecided affected households in Phnom Penh organized by the Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC). Photo by Arnold Marseille. The Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC) organized on January 27, 2012 a final public consultation in the Toul SangKe pagoda in Phnom Penh for those affected households (AHs) who have yet to decide whether they wish to stay in their current homes or relocate to the Trapaing Anchanh resettlement site. The 70 families are part of a group of 247 AHs along the railway in Phnom Penh who are partially affected by the railway rehabilitation, because only a small part of their house is within the corridor of 3.5 meter which needs to be cleared for the railway. According to the Resettlement Plan these families would therefore receive compensation only for the costs involved to move their home out of the 3.5 meter zone. However, since their homes measure less than 30m2 it has been decided to offer these families the opportunity to relocate. The IRC had held earlier consultations in November and December 2011 on this to define the number of the AHs who decided to relocate and the AHs who decided to stay. Among the 70 undecided AHs there was a misperception that they had no choice but to relocate and therefore the IRC explained once more that they are free in their decision. The IRC only asked the AHs to make sure they had before the deadline for a decision - February 6, 2012 - thumb-printed their choice, so that it will be clear for the IRC who wishes to relocate and who wishes to stay. The IRC added that those AHs who would not have left a thumb print on February 6 would be considered as having decided to stay. The IRC had brought a photo poster in Khmer (view in English), to the consultation session for people to get an impression of the facilities on and near the resettlement site. The IRC team explained during the meeting that the relocation site will have basic amenities such as access roads, water/ electricity connection, latrine/sewerage etc., which the Royal Government of Cambodia will provide to AHs free of charge. These basic amenities will be in place prior to relocation. AHs will be provided a plot (105 m2) based on lottery selection. A representative of ADB was present to provide clarification on the compensation policy, explaining that compensation is paid for from the counterpart fund (Cambodian Government fund) and implemented by the Government, by following the standard principle for ADB projects that compensation covers the replacement value, meaning that AHs receive sufficient compensation to replace property they lose because of the project. Since AHs have homes of different sizes and materials compensations vary per AH. The IRC added that people are not entitled for compensation of the land they live on, because the land does not belong to them but to the state. More on the compensation policy can be read in the Public Information Booklet produced and distributed to all AHs by the IRC. The IRC and a representative of AusAid furthermore explained that for those people who decide to relocate there will be support in finding new means of income, funded by the Cambodian and Australian government (for more on AusAid's role visit the Ausaid website). 12 December 2011Cambodia Railway Accountability Update OSPF On 21 November 2011 the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF) received a complaint about the Rehabilitation of the Railway in Cambodia Project. OSPF is part of ADB's Accountability Mechanism, facilitating solutions to concerns brought forward by persons affected by ADB-supported projects. OSPF has registered and acknowledged receipt of the complaint, and is in the process of determining whether the complaint is eligible for the consultation phase. OSPF is consulting with the Government of Cambodia, civil society, the ADB Operations Department responsible for the administration of the project, and other stakeholders. The consultation phase aims to assist people affected by ADB-assisted projects to find solutions to their problems. It is led by ADB's Special Project Facilitator, who reports directly to ADB's President. The railway rehabilitation project is upgrading 610 km of Cambodia's dilapidated rail tracks, and reconstructing an additional 48 km of missing rail link. The first 100 km of rail has been open to limited freight traffic since October 2010, and works are ongoing on the rest of the network. The project completion date is September 2013. View additional information about ADB's Accountability Mechanism. 30 November 2011IRC reports significant progress on grievance redresses IRC reported on 30 November 2011 that it has so far responded to 85 letters representing 465 affected households (AHs) of the total 102 letters with grievances (complaints/ requests) received representing 499 AHs. One letter often represents many AHs with multiple grievances and requests. For example, 1 letter from Phnom Penh was thumb printed/ signed by 81 AHs. The majority of letters are from Phnom Penh, and all letters from Phnom Penh have now been responded to. The main issues that IRC has responded to are those outside the scope of the Resettlement Plan (RP). Of the total 85 response letters, 37 cases are now closed and represent 331 AHs. Cases closed refer to letters, where all issues addressed in the letter (by all the AHs) have been responded to by IRC, and AHs have accepted IRC's decision, or not responded to the contrary within 30 days after receiving the IRC response. The remaining letters are concerned with issues within the scope of the RP, such as classification of affected houses and provision of land at the relocation site, and IRC is continuing to review them. Table 1: Letters of Requests/Complaints Received and Responded to
31 October 201166 percent of eligible households moved to relocation sites Among the 870 affected households (AHs) eligible for a plot at the five relocation sites established for the Cambodia Railway Project, 577 families are already occupying their new homes. As per the RP safeguards policy AHs can only be asked to move to their new location once all primary facilities have been completed by the Inter-Ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC). Earlier this year the preparation of some relocation sites encountered some setbacks in the construction of safe drinking water systems and private access to electricity. While the IRC during the last few months worked hard to solve these issues, several families chose themselves to already settle on their new plot. At this moment only the relocation site in Sihanoukville does not have direct access to electricity, because the supplier, Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) has yet to expand their coverage to include the relocation site. EdC has confirmed that they are in the process of sourcing the equipment for the connection and plan to connect the relocation site to the power grid by first quarter of 2012. With all sites provided drainage systems, drinking water and electricity supply (except Sihanoukville) the IRC will assist the remaining 293 affected households to complete the resettlement process by April 2012. In accordance with the agreed RP, AHs resettled under the project will receive a legal land title to their new plots provided they reside on their allocated home plots for five years. Access to land title is not something families living along the railway line currently enjoy and people at the new sites therefore consider this as an excellent opportunity for their families' future. Table 2: Status of Occupancy of the Relocation Sites
Hog-raising at the Sihanoukville relocation site. 15 September 2011IRC provides AHs free land for pig raising 27 July 2011IRC: Electricity security deposit is pre-paid consumption charge Relocated households in Poipet are required to pay a security deposit for electricity supply (400 baht or US$13) to secure future usage payments. The deposit is fully refundable when supply is discontinued. The security deposit is not in the agreed Resettlement Plan (it did not exist at the time) and therefore the Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC) decided to review the issue. The IRC now has concluded that all connection expenses are financed in accordance with the principles of the Resettlement Plan (RP) and that the security deposit should be considered a pre-paid consumption charge. Consumption charges are not subject to financing under the resettlement plan.  For people living closer than 3.5 meters to the railroad it is not safe to remain in their current homes. More photos. 22 July 2011270 families in Poipet request to be allowed at unfinished relocation site Earlier this month the Government suspended resettlement for affected households with complaints until these have been addressed under the grievance redress procedure and suspended moving affected households to relocation sites where all basic services are not yet in place. Since these decisions, about 270 out of 588 affected households (AHs) in Poipet have signed a petition requesting permission to move immediately even though power supply is not yet available at the Poipet resettlement site. The Government and ADB have agreed to this.
15 February 2011IRC, ADB and Ausaid introduce monthly meetings to improve project monitoring Operations for the rehabilitation of Cambodia’s country’s national railroad stretching from Sihanoukville in the south, through the capital Phnom Penh and up to the northern border with Thailand are making fast progress and as a result an increasing number of families living too close to the railway are being asked to move to make way for the line upgrade. Since November 2010 several complaints have been made by affected households (AHs) over compensation rates, the readiness and adequacy of relocation sites and other issues. In order to improve project monitoring and coordination among partners in addressing issues in a timely matter, the Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee (IRC), ADB and AusAID have decided to hold monthly meetings. |
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