PM: railway system needs to be upgraded

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the Cabinet meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 28 stressed the need for the railway system to be upgraded in order to serve national development.

Speaking at a meeting of permanent Cabinet members, the leader said urban railways must be planned, firstly in Hanoi and HCM City, to address current traffic jams.

He suggested developing a railway system linking the Central Highlands and the central region and HCM City, and another between the southern metropolis and the southwestern region.

Highlighting the important role of the railway system, particularly the North-South express railway, PM Phuc said pre-feasibility assessments must be thoroughly prepared before submitting them to the Politburo and the National Assembly.

He assigned the Ministry of Transport to prepare these reports which, he said, should put into account technologies and investment resources. The PM said the public-private partnership (PPP) model should be prioritised in this regard.

Land preparation is of significance, he said, suggesting connectivity with international railways so as to expand development space.

The leader tasked the transport ministry with completing the Vietnam railway development strategy and plan by 2030 with a vision towards 2050, and proposing policies and solutions to develop the railway system.

Regarding the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project, PM Phuc asked ministries, agencies and Hanoi authorities to raise their sense of cooperation and devote more time to addressing relevant issues.

Safety is the top priority, he emphasised, calling for efforts of experts and consultants in ensuring the safety of the project.

The project should be handed over only after the State Council for Pre-Acceptance Test for Construction Works makes official decisions, he said.

Transport Minister Nguyen Van The reported at the meeting that from now to mid-November, about 10 French consultants will come to Vietnam to assess the safety of the project.

All-out efforts are being made so that Hanoi’s first metro line would be put into commercial run ahead of the 13th National Party Congress, slated for the first quarter of 2021, the minister said.

The 13.5-km-long railway line, from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district of Hanoi, has a total investment capital of approximately 886 million USD after several adjustments.