The HCM City’s metro train at Bình Thái station in Thủ Đức city. The line is expected to be completed by the end of this year and become operational in 2024. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The much anticipated first metro line will be completed by the end of this year, with commercial operations to begin next year, HCM City authorities have promised.

The Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said the line, which connects Bến Thành Market in District 1 with Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City, is over 95 per cent complete.

Key stations such as HCM City Opera House and Ba Son would be finished in September.

The tracks, running underground between Bến Thành and the Opera House and above the surface elsewhere, and the depot would be finished in October.

The rest of the work would be completed by December.

The State-run HCM City Urban Railway Company No 1 (HURC1), responsible for operating the metro, faces a shortage of funding and personnel.

The city People’s Committee has sought the Ministry of Finance’s assistance to resolve the financial issue for the company, which has been unable to pay salaries since August 2021, and owes its employees VNĐ6.7 billion.

MAUR will closely monitor implementation and make plans to start operations on schedule.

The project is expected to have a price tag of VNĐ47 trillion.

It will run 19.7km, 2.6km underground, and have 11 stations.

Originally scheduled for completion in 2018, the project has been repeatedly delayed due to funding issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. — VNS