With 43 breakthrough mechanisms and policies proposed in the project, Ho Chi Minh City aims to complete 7 metro lines with a total length of 355km in 10 years - Graphics: VO TAN
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (the standing agency of the State Appraisal Council), the metro line 5 phase 1 project is being appraised by the council.
However, according to the report of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board, the project to develop the Ho Chi Minh City urban railway system according to conclusion No. 49 of the Politburo (metro project) has been approved by the competent authority.
In addition, the project to adjust the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City to 2040, with a vision to 2060, has been submitted for appraisal and is expected to be approved in early 2025.
Do not use ODA capital to build metro line 5
Previously proposed route of metro line 5 phase 1 – Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, metro line 5 project has many changes according to the master plan adjustment project and metro project.
Specifically, according to the master plan adjustment project, metro line No. 5 will be extended. This is a semi-ring route connecting the South to the East, connecting the key development area of Hung Long (South) to the key development area of Truong Tho (East), connecting the new Can Giuoc bus station (Hung Long University Village), University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hung Vuong Hospital, Phu Tho Stadium, etc.
According to the metro project, metro line 5 has a change in investment plan.
Specifically, Ho Chi Minh City will not divide metro line 5 into 2 phases as before, but will invest in the entire line.
Metro Line 5 will be on the list of priority investment routes and will complete construction and installation by 2035. Regarding capital sources, priority will be given to using the budget (not ODA capital) and many special policy mechanisms are proposed to be applied.
With the above contents, the pre-feasibility study report of Metro Line 5 project is no longer consistent with the metro project that has been reported to the competent authority for approval. Many factors such as scope, route direction, scale, funding source, etc. have changed and are no longer consistent with the initial proposal.
Therefore, the Ministry of Planning and Investment returns the entire project dossier for completion according to regulations.
The appraisal council established in 2017 is no longer relevant.
Regarding the organization of the appraisal of the pre-feasibility study report of Project No. 5, the Ministry of Planning and Investment said that the State Appraisal Council was established by the Prime Minister in 2017. The Council held an appraisal meeting and sent a report on the appraisal results to Ho Chi Minh City for completion. Up to now, the members of the Council have changed a lot (due to retirement or job transfer, etc.).
Currently, the Government is directing ministries and branches to urgently focus on streamlining the organization and have plans to merge and consolidate ministries and agencies, so there will certainly be changes in the organization and operation of the council. The State Appraisal Council established in 2017 will no longer be suitable for the actual situation.
Therefore, the newly established council must be organized to ensure that it is consistent with its functions, tasks and is associated with the responsibilities of the agencies whose members participate in the council after the merger of ministries and agencies.
In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board is also working with relevant agencies to advise the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to send a document to the Ministry of Planning and Investment to temporarily suspend the appraisal of the project's pre-feasibility study report.
Therefore, the Ministry of Planning and Investment requests that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee soon give its opinion on the above proposal of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board before January 21 so that the standing body of the council can consider and report to the Prime Minister on the organization of project appraisal according to regulations.
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