PHNOM PENH: The new railway line connecting Phnom Penh train station to the airport will come online in April, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Director of the Railway Department Chan Kimleng said construction of the railroad is developing as planned, and that the new service will be launched before Khmer New Year in mid-April, the Khmer Times reported on Thursday. His announcement comes just days after construction of a new airport to service the capital was approved by the Council of Ministers. The new airport will be built in Kandal province and will be designed to accommodate larger, long-haul aircraft. “The announcement of the new airport hasn’t affected work on the railway line. We are still working on it, and it is still planned to be operational as early as April,” he said. “I don’t know when the new airport will be finished. It may take four years or longer, so we still need the railway service to reduce traffic congestion in the city.” The new train will use three train engines imported from Mexico for passenger transport, with each train able to carry 100 passengers. The project is being undertaken by the Royal Group. In December, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said the new train service will be free for everyone during the first three months. Asked about a similar train service for the recently-approved airport in Kandal, Kimleng said he was unaware of any proposal for such a project.