HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has requested the Ministry of Transport allocate VNĐ4.76 trillion (US$207 million) to repair and upgrade tunnels and bridges in its railways.

There are currently 28 degraded tunnels that have severely affected trains and railways. These include 22 tunnels on the Hà Nội - HCM City line built around 1935. 

Earlier plans, which cost around VNĐ7 trillion aimed to repair 9 of the 22 tunnels but the VNR is petitioning for the remaining 13 tunnels to be refurbished with a total fund of VNĐ1.9 billion.

The VNR also asked for VNĐ1.16 trillion to better ensure safety to repair 26 curves and eliminate rockfall threats in 14 locations.

The remaining 1.7 trillion is allocated to repair and replace 87 dangerous bridges as well as the construction of road-railway separation for Lục Nam, Long Đại and Phố Lu bridges.

Earlier, VNR has petitioned authorities to allocate repair funds for 40 passenger and cargo stations in 2022-2023 to increase the capacity and effectiveness of railway services to revive services after the pandemic.

The funding for these station repairs is around VNĐ2.38 trillion and comes from the sustainable economic recovery program.

According to the 2021-2025 plan, four new railway projects are planned, including three repair and upgrades projects for the Hà Nội - HCM City line.

Nine stations, including three passenger stations in the line, will be repaired and upgraded. — VNS