North High Speed Rail

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) said that the Government Office has issued a document announcing the Conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha - Head of the Steering Committee for the development and implementation of the Project on investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway and important national railway projects, after the first meeting of the Steering Committee.

Regarding the orientation for developing and completing the above project, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Transport to fully demonstrate the viewpoints and goals on high-speed railways stated in Resolution 29-NQ/TW of the Central Committee and Conclusion 49-KL/TW of the Politburo in the project.

How will the 350 km/h North-South high-speed railway be formed?

Orientation to restructure Vietnam Railway Corporation to manage and operate the North-South high-speed railway in the future, instead of establishing a new unit (Illustration: Spanish high-speed railway).

The Ministry of Transport can mobilize domestic and foreign technical and economic experts (if necessary) and organize specialized conferences to contribute ideas to complete the project.

In particular, the Deputy Prime Minister focused on explaining the appropriateness of the orientation, viewpoints and goals of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo; proving that a developed country with developed industry and high income must have high-speed railways; investment in high-speed railways is related to national and ethnic interests, so it cannot be delayed but requires strong political determination to implement; Affirming the view that the North-South high-speed railway is a driving force for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security.

The development of the North-South high-speed railway must be synchronous, modern, in line with world trends, with a design speed of 350 km/h and truly become the "backbone" axis according to the Politburo's Conclusion. The selection of investment scenarios must ensure a long-term, effective vision, operating at high speed, modernity, and synchronization based on analysis and assessment of transportation needs, market requirements, safety level; current status of the railway system, comparison of railway transport with other modes of transport...

The Ministry of Transport also needs to clarify investment efficiency, feasibility and solutions regarding: Resources; policies and laws for high-speed railway development; railway industry development; human resource training; mechanisms for Vietnamese enterprises to access, receive technology transfer, and gradually master technology...

Study the plan to amend the Railway Law, including the mechanism for implementing high-speed railway investment, or a separate resolution of the National Assembly on high-speed railway. It must include full contents on investment forms, capital mobilization plans; investment preparation and implementation procedures; land policies, site clearance; human resource training; industrial development, urban planning, etc.

Regarding the management model and organization of exploitation, the Deputy Prime Minister said that instead of establishing a new organization, Vietnam Railway Corporation should be utilized to restructure and form a state-owned enterprise with sufficient capacity to meet the requirements of exploiting the North-South high-speed railway. In addition, calling for and attracting private enterprises to invest in vehicles and exploit high-speed railway transport when conditions are met at the appropriate time.

It is known that last week, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang received and worked with Mr. Masafumi Shukuri - President of Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI), President of International High-Speed Rail Association (IHRA). In December, JTTRI is expected to organize a Vietnam - Japan Transport Infrastructure Workshop in Hanoi, focusing on discussing the fields of railways, seaports and airports.

Regarding high-speed rail technology, Mr. Masafumi Shukuri said that the choice of technology depends on the speed of operation and the option of operating only passenger trains, or operating both passenger and freight trains. Mr. Masafumi Shukuri said that Vietnam should invest in high-speed rail specializing in operating passenger trains.

According to the leader of the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam is researching and preparing to invest in the North-South high-speed railway with a total investment capital of over 60 billion USD, to be completed before 2050. However, the challenge is choosing the operating speed option, running only passenger trains, or combining passenger and freight trains; and financial mobilization options. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport hopes that Japan will consider supporting Vietnam in implementing this project.

According to Tien Phong

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