FRANCE'S ALSTOM PLANS TO OPERATE TRAMS IN CAMBODIA

PHNOM PENH, Nov 26 Asia Pulse - A French firm has said it plans to operate trams in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, and Siem Reap to help reduce the number of traffic jams and ease air pollution, local media reported Monday.

Jean Lousiv Menuel, president of Alstom, presented his company's plan to run trams in Phnom Penh and later in Siem Reap province during a recent meeting between a French business delegation and Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema, the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper said.

The tram railways will maintain the environment and beauty of the cities, Jean Lousiv Menuel was quoted as saying.

According to the plan, a railway to be called Tranway will connect the outskirts of Phnom Penh to its downtown, from Phnom Penh International Airport to the center.

Kep Chuktema offered his support to the plan, saying that he hopes it will help reduce traffic jams in the city just as the number vehicles on the roads is markedly increasing.

The municipality will cooperate with Alstom to carry out a feasibility study, he said.