A train runs on Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro line on a trial basis. — VNA/VNS Photo

 HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Ngọc Đông on Tuesday told the Vietnam News Agency that the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro line project will be inaugurated and put into commercial operation before November 10.

According to the deputy minister, the ministry and the Hà Nội authorities met on Monday to discuss issues related to the handover and reception of the project, including documents for the two sides to sign at the handover ceremony of the project.

The quality assessment results of the metro line were approved by the State Council for Acceptance of Construction Projects on October 29. It was the final step for the project to begin commercial operation.

In a related move, the Government Office has just announced the conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Lê Văn Thành at the meeting on the approval of the project's evaluation for putting it into operation. The Deputy PM requested that the Hà Nội authorities, in coordination with related agencies, thoroughly examine the operation plan, and design plans on transit connections to facilitate people's movement using public transport options. He also required the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures; ensuring traffic safety; and the provision of full and clear information related to the project to the public. 

The line, which runs from Cát Linh in Ba Đình District to Hà Đông District, will be the first urban railway put into operation in the country. 

With total investment of approximately US$886 million, funded by Chinese ODA, the elevated line is more than 13km long and has 12 stations and 13 trains. Each train, whose designed speed is 80 km per hour, has four carriages capable of carrying over 900 passengers.

The trial run was completed in December 2020, with more than 70,000km of tests on thousands of trips, enabling the system to operate commercially.

Starting in 2011, the project has suffered numerous setbacks and delays.

The Hà Nội People’s Committee has announced the price of the tickets for the Cát Linh-Hà Đông metro, with the lowest one being VNĐ8,000 ($0.35) for a trip and VNĐ30,000 for a day pass.

A monthly pass for a passenger is priced at VNĐ200,000.

Hà Nội will offer free travel for all passengers during the first 15 days after the line is put into operation, according to Director of the city’s Department of Transport Vũ Văn Viện. —VNS