North-South high-speed railway project: Ensuring operating speed for trains, creating new development space

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the afternoon of October 14, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, a meeting of the State Appraisal Council to appraise the Pre-Feasibility Study Report of the North-South High-Speed Railway Project took place. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Chairman of the Council chaired the meeting.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Chairman of the State Appraisal Council appraising the Pre-Feasibility Study Report of the North-South high-speed railway project, spoke at the meeting.

Also attending the meeting were Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy and representatives of leaders of ministries, branches and localities who are members of the Council.

According to Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, the investment project to build a high-speed railway on the North-South axis has been agreed upon by the Politburo and the Party Central Committee to invest in the entire route with a design speed of 350 km/h, transporting passengers, meeting dual-use requirements for national defense and security, and being able to transport goods when necessary.

This is a particularly important project for national development, contributing to raising the position and foundation of the nation in the new era, so ministries and branches need to be highly determined, make great efforts, and take drastic actions to implement it.

At the meeting, the Council members focused on discussing and giving opinions on the contents of the Project's Pre-Feasibility Study Report; the appraisal results report of the appraisal consultant; and the draft report on the appraisal results of the Project's Pre-Feasibility Study Report.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, Chairman of the Council, requested the Ministry of Transport to carefully study the Appraisal Results Report of the Interdisciplinary Appraisal Expert Group, the Appraisal Report of the Appraisal Consultant, the opinions of the Council members, and the appraisal opinions of relevant ministries and branches to fully absorb and promptly complete the Project Pre-Feasibility Study Report.

Accordingly, regarding the Project dossier, based on the Conclusions of the Politburo, the Central Executive Committee and the Government Standing Committee, it is recommended that the Ministry of Transport receive, carefully review and fully supplement the contents of the Project dossier to ensure quality and efficiency.

Regarding transport demand forecasting, the Council Chairman suggested a thorough review of transport demand forecast data (passengers, goods) on the North-South corridor to ensure reliability, consistency, and similarity with projects around the world.

Regarding the route and station location, the Council requires close adherence to the instructions of the Government Standing Committee, especially the technical factors that the route must be as straight as possible to reduce costs, especially the section through Nam Dinh province, ensuring the operating speed for trains, creating new development space, avoiding residential areas and large urban areas but must have a suitable and convenient connection plan for the shortest connection to airports and large seaports; conveniently connecting the East-West corridor and connecting with railways in China, Laos and Cambodia. At the same time, continue to coordinate with localities where high-speed railways pass through to review and adjust the route and station locations of the Project, especially locations with advantages in connecting with major traffic hubs, economic zones, etc.

Regarding the preliminary total investment, the Chairman of the Council requested a review based on the principles of correct calculation, completeness and compliance with legal regulations at the step of preparing the Project's Pre-Feasibility Study Report.

According to the Pre-Feasibility Study Report presented at the meeting, the North-South High-Speed Railway Project aims to realize the Party's policies and orientations, the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Politburo and implement plans; strengthen regional and growth pole connectivity, create spillover momentum, open up new economic development space, restructure urban areas, distribute population, and shift economic structure; increase the competitiveness of the economy; meet transportation needs, contribute to restructuring the transportation market share on the North-South corridor in an optimal and sustainable manner, creating premises and driving forces for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security.

The project is expected to pass through 20 provinces/cities, including: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.

Regarding the scale of investment, a new double-track railway line, 1,435 mm gauge, electrified, designed speed 350 km/h, load capacity 22.5 tons/axle; length about 1,541 km with 23 passenger stations (each province arranges 1 station, Ha Tinh, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan each province arranges 2 stations). To ensure service for national defense and security, freight transport when needed, on the route there are 5 freight stations arranged at major freight hubs, convenient for serving national defense, security logistics, international transportation.

Anh Tho

Source: http://namdinhtv.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/du-an-duong-sat-toc-do-cao-bac-nam-bao-dam-toc-do-khai-thac-cho-cac-doan-tau-tao