Ministry of Transport supports Dien Bien to build Son La

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang spoke at the meeting.

Reporting on the results of socio -economic development and ensuring national defense and security of the province in the first 6 months of 2024, the leaders of Dien Bien province proposed to the Minister and the working delegation a number of contents on the field of transportation in the area.

Regarding the Son La - Dien Bien - Tay Trang Border Gate Expressway construction project, phase 1, the Ministry of Transport is requested to give its opinion on the route plan; consider and report to the Government to allow the project to be invested under the BOT contract type; report to the Government and competent authorities to approve the project to be included in the project list in Appendix I of Resolution 106/2023/QH15 dated November 28, 2023 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of specific policies on investment in road construction (the proportion of state capital participating in the total project investment does not exceed 70%). At the same time, it is recommended that competent authorities support the State capital participating in the project implementation with the Central budget, the plan is as follows: Scope and scale of investment: 39km; 2 tunnel works (2.8km); 7.4km of bridge works, total investment of 11,556 billion VND. Preliminary financial plan, the State participates about 8,089 billion VND (70%), investors mobilize 3,467 billion VND, payback period is about 27 years. In which, Dien Bien province is responsible for arranging compensation funds, supporting site clearance and resettlement.

Dien Bien province proposed that the Ministry of Transport pay attention to, consider and invest in a number of other projects, such as: Project to upgrade and renovate national highways 279 and 4H connecting to Northern Laos and China; invest in repairing and expanding national highway 279, avoiding Tuan Giao town (Tuan Giao district); invest in the national highway 279 project, Tuan Giao - Than Uyen, Lai Chau section. Propose to invest in the following roads and bridges: Huoi Long intersection - Tua Chua town - Xa Nhe - Huoi So - Pe Rang Ky - Song Da - Nam Lot, Nam Han - Nam Cuoi - Can Co commune center - Noong Heo - Seo Leng - Sin Ho town.

Provincial Party Secretary Tran Quoc Cuong spoke at the meeting.

Regarding air transport, the Ministry of Transport supports and guides the province in exploiting new routes and international flights to Dien Bien Airport; at the same time, coordinates with the Ministry of National Defense and relevant units to issue international flight permits according to regulations. Regarding international transport, it is proposed that the Minister of Transport consult with the Chinese side to allow the extension of the regular international passenger transport route from Ma Lu Thang border gate (Lai Chau, Vietnam) - Kim Thuy Ha (Kim Binh district, China) to Dien Bien Phu city.

Provincial Party Secretary Tran Quoc Cuong emphasized that, with the characteristics of a mountainous province with difficult terrain conditions; limited investment resources, most of the key inter-provincial and inter-district traffic routes that have been invested in are mainly low-level mountainous roads with delays and are not yet synchronized. Therefore, the investment demand for the traffic infrastructure system is very large and urgent, especially the Son La - Dien Bien - Tay Trang border gate expressway project, creating a premise to promote local socio-economic development. The Provincial Party Secretary hopes that the Ministry of Transport and Deo Ca Group will study and apply regulations to implement the project. Dien Bien province will be determined to allocate resources to carry out site clearance for the project.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang shared the difficulties and challenges facing the province, such as: Attracting investment is difficult; budget revenue is low; transport infrastructure is still limited; the terrain is mainly mountainous, making it difficult to develop industry and commodity economy; the scale of the economy is still small; the situation of illegal drug trafficking and transportation is still complicated. The Minister suggested that in the coming time, the province needs to exploit its full potential, promote the economy, improve people's lives, and ensure national defense and security. In particular, promote the potential of the historical relic of Dien Bien Phu battlefield; promote national cultural identity; exploit the advantages of the airport; favorable climate and soil to develop macadamia, fruit trees; potential for tourism development and goods consumption when upgrading A Pa Chai Border Gate. Focus on attracting investment in tourism services; pay attention to building a night-time economic zone; focus on developing wind power, hydropower projects under implementation.

Representatives of Deo Ca Group gave opinions related to the Son La - Dien Bien - Tay Trang Border Gate expressway project.

Regarding the expressway project, the Minister of Transport agrees with the recommendations and proposals of Dien Bien province on the route, the type of contract in the form of BOT and the financial plan with the State participating in about 70%. However, it is necessary to study to reduce the total investment, to ensure the savings and efficiency of the project; study to reduce the payback period because 27 years is too long. Speed up the completion of procedures, so that the project can be completed by 2027 at the latest. The Ministry of Transport supports and creates conditions to resolve procedures at the central level so that localities can soon implement them. Regarding other projects, the Minister acknowledges, agrees and assigns relevant agencies to study and guide localities in implementation.

Towards the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, Minister Nguyen Van Thang and the delegation of the Ministry of Transport offered incense to pay tribute to martyrs at the Transport Martyrs Cemetery (Sam Mun commune, Dien Bien district).

Source: https://baodienbienphu.com.vn/tin-tuc/kinh-te/216865/bo-gtvt-ung-ho-dien-bien-lam-cao-toc-son-la---dien-bien---cua-khau-tay-trang