8 issues to pay attention to regarding the North-South High-Speed Railway Project

Delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, National Assembly delegate of Hai Duong province, fully agrees with the necessity of investing in the High-speed Railway Project on the North-South axis (photo provided by the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and People's Council of Hai Duong province)

On the afternoon of November 20, the National Assembly discussed in groups the investment policy for two major projects: the North-South High-Speed Railway Project and the Long Thanh International Airport Project.

Speaking at the meeting hall about the North-South High-Speed Railway Project, delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, and National Assembly delegate of Hai Duong province, completely agreed with the necessity of investing in the project with the political and legal bases and reasons stated in the Government's submission.

However, from the reality that some important national projects after being approved by the National Assembly have had many problems that led to the need to request policy adjustments, delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son suggested that the Government should pay attention to and consider 8 issues of this project to ensure feasibility.

In particular, synchronization in planning, especially forest planning, provincial planning, transport network planning, national land use planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. The allocation and zoning of land for the project in the provincial planning where the project passes through must ensure synchronous connection so that the collection and clearance of goods is convenient, promoting the effective connection between transport modes, and reducing costs.

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Regarding the route, the report has reached consensus among 20 provinces and cities and has shortened the route by 4 km compared to the approved plan. Delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son suggested adding comparison options to ensure the route is as straight as possible but at the same time avoids going through most of the forest and rice fields and ensures connectivity between the high-speed railway line and the regional and international railway network and other transport systems.

Regarding stations, according to the project documents, passenger stations in some localities are basically not located in the urban center while the stations need to be conveniently located to attract the most passengers. Delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son requested to clarify the reasons for choosing the locations of the stations of the project, especially the connectivity between vehicles and to evaluate carefully.

Delegates also pointed out that the total investment is linked to project efficiency, the project documents have not applied compensation prices, resettlement support according to the new Land Law, and have not calculated the time and resources to upgrade the existing North-South railway line to serve freight transport.

To ensure the project progress to basically complete the entire route by 2035, delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son said it is necessary to mobilize maximum domestic and foreign resources.

"This is a difficult, new, and unprecedented project. Therefore, special attention should be paid to hiring competent international consultants to support the investor in project management, selecting design consultants, and appraisal consultants with real capacity so that the project can achieve the fastest progress and highest quality," said delegate Nguyen Ngoc Son.

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Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/dai-bieu-quoc-hoi-tinh-hai-duong-nguyen-ngoc-son-can-quan-tam-8-van-de-ve-du-an-duong-sat-cao-toc-bac-nam-398487.html