Progress on the urban rail network is 'very slow'.

The Economic Committee assessed the implementation and investment preparation process for the urban railway network as very slow and requested clarification on the progress and expected timeframe for operation.

On the afternoon of October 23, during a mid-term review of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the economic restructuring plan for the 2021-2025 period, the Chairman of the Economic Committee, Vu Hong Thanh, stated that besides the Cat Linh - Ha Dong line, which has already been put into operation, the progress of other lines needs clarification. For example: Nhon - Hanoi Station (11.5 km); Hanoi Station - Hoang Mai (8.5 km); Van Cao - Hoa Lac (38.4 km); Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien (19.7 km); Ben Thanh - Tham Luong (11.2 km).

According to the Economic Committee, the progress of constructing a comprehensive infrastructure system, including some modern projects, is slow, especially in addressing bottlenecks in the development of major urban infrastructure. Important national projects face numerous difficulties, affecting progress and hindering completion plans. Inadequate urban infrastructure connectivity in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City leads to traffic congestion, flooding, localized water shortages, and a burden on social infrastructure.

In a previous report, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stated that in the coming period, the disbursement of public investment capital will be accelerated, especially for key transportation projects; strategic infrastructure systems such as the North-South and East-West expressways will be completed; and preparations for the North-South high-speed railway will be expedited.

The Nhon - Hanoi Station train underwent trial runs on December 5, 2022. Photo: Pham Chieu

According to the plan for 2030, Hanoi will have 10 urban railway lines with a total length of 417 km, of which 342 km will be elevated and 75 km underground. Currently, only the Cat Linh - Ha Dong line has been completed and is operating commercially after 10 years of construction.

Five other lines are under construction. The Nhon - Hanoi Station urban railway line was expected to have its elevated section operational by the end of 2022 but missed the deadline, with the entire line scheduled for completion in 2027; Line 2, Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao, is proposing adjustments to the overall layout of station C9, next to Ho Guom Lake.

The city has approved the investment plan for two lines: Line 3 from Hanoi Station to Hoang Mai and Line 5 from Van Cao - Ngoc Khanh - Hoa Lac. Line 1 from Yen Vien to Ngoc Hoi is currently in the process of selecting a technical design consultant.

The city has also assigned the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB) to prepare the remaining lines, including: Nam Thang Long - Noi Bai; Tran Hung Dao - Thuong Dinh; Co Nhue - Ring Road 3 - Linh Nam - Bat Trang - Duong Xa.

Chairman of the Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh. Photo: National Assembly Media

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line is the first urban railway project to commence construction 10 years ago, with a total investment of over 43,700 billion VND from Japanese ODA loans and domestic counterpart funds. The line is nearly 20 km long, from Ben Thanh station (District 1) to Long Binh depot (Thu Duc City), with 3 underground stations and 11 elevated stations. The entire line is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2023.

The Ben Thanh - Tham Luong Metro line, with a total investment of nearly 47,900 billion VND, has had its completion date postponed to 2030, instead of 2026 as planned.

Viet Tuan

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