Developing the North-South high-speed railway with a design speed of 350km/h

Accordingly, in Notice 420/TB-VPCP dated October 18, 2023, the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha - Head of the Steering Committee at the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the development and implementation of the Project on investment policy for high-speed railways on the North-South axis and important national railway projects, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Transport to fully express its viewpoints and goals related to the development of high-speed railways in Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW dated November 17, 2022 of the 6th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee on continuing to promote industrialization and modernization of the country by 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Conclusion No. 49-KL/TW of the Politburo on the Project.

Development of North-South high-speed railway with design speed of 350km h image 1 — Developing the North-South high-speed railway with a design speed of 350km/h. Illustrative photo

Along with that, mobilize experts (including international experts if necessary) in engineering and economics; organize specialized conferences to contribute ideas to complete the Project, in which the following issues should be noted: Explain the suitability of the orientation, viewpoints and goals of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo ; prove to affirm 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 the driving force for socio -economic development, ensuring national defense and security. Practice has proven that to the extent that transport infrastructure is developed, new development space for urban areas, industrial zones, services, and tourism is formed, and land funds are effectively exploited.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated: While railways are an important mode of transport with many advantages, transporting large volumes, quickly and safely compared to other modes of transport; therefore, the development of the North-South high-speed railway must be synchronous, modern, in line with world trends, with a design speed of 350km/h and truly become the "backbone" axis according to the Conclusion of the Politburo.

Clarifying investment efficiency, feasibility and solutions on: 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...

The selection of investment scenarios must ensure high-speed, modern, and synchronous exploitation based on analysis and assessment of transportation needs, market requirements, safety levels, transport restructuring capabilities, natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, current status of the railway system, comparison of railway transport with other modes of transport... to propose an effective high-speed railway investment scenario with a long-term strategic vision.

Also in this conclusion announcement, the Deputy Prime Minister requested to 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, including full contents on investment forms, capital mobilization plans, preparation procedures, investment implementation, land policies, site clearance, human resource training, industrial development, urban development planning, etc.

Regarding the management model and organization of exploitation, the Deputy Prime Minister said that instead of establishing a new organization, we should utilize the Vietnam Railway Corporation to restructure and form a state-owned enterprise with sufficient capacity to meet the requirements. Ensure effective and efficient state management. In addition, we should call on and attract private enterprises to invest in vehicles and exploit high-speed railway transport when conditions are met at the appropriate time.

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