The Nhổn - Hà Nội Station line during a test run across Cầu Giấy intersection in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

HÀ NỘI — There are currently 25 projects with a total of 75 component projects under the responsibilities of the State Steering Committee for National Key Projects and Important Transport Projects.

The Government Office has recently issued Notice No 311/TB-VPCP dated August 7, 2023, which contains the review of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính - Head of the Steering Committee - at the 6th session.

Efficient and swift project implementation will significantly contribute to economic growth, especially under the current challenging conditions. This demands that each member of the Steering Committee exerts more effort, focus, determination, strength, and responsibility to accelerate the progress of project execution.

The members of the Steering Committee must serve as exemplary models of administrative discipline, adhering faithfully to the Working Regulations of the Steering Committee, and fully participating in all meetings. The Government Office will monitor and report to the Prime Minister on the removal of Steering Committee members who are absent consecutively for two or more times without valid reasons, while also considering responsibilities as stipulated by the Party and the Government.

The Prime Minister has requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Hà Nội and HCM City to direct and comprehensively resolve obstacles, make efforts to complete and put into operation the Nhổn - Hà Nội Station metro line by the end of 2023 and the Bến Thành - Suối Tiên metro line by the beginning of 2024. Mobilise all available resources, urgently implement investment, and construct the remaining railway lines according to the plan to meet the socio-economic development needs of the two cities.

Eastern part of North-South Expressway Project at 86 per cent completion

The Prime Minister highly appreciates the efforts of the Ministry of Transport, various ministries, departments, localities, Project Management Boards (PMBs), consulting firms, and contractors in the process of implementing critical national and key transport projects.

Ministries, departments, and localities have taken strong initiatives to carry out the assigned tasks, and notable achievements include the completion of site clearance work to meet the construction schedule of the East-West highways, the Belt Road 3 of HCM City, and Belt Road 4 of Hà Nội; the Eastern part of North-South Expressway 2021-2025 has reached 86 per cent completion; the completion of land clearance for Terminal 3 at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport; the progress of construction materials supply for the North-South Expressway 2021-2025 following the guidance of the Prime Minister; the completion of procedures and commencement of key expressway projects such as Biên Hòa - Vũng Tàu, Khánh Hòa - Buôn Ma Thuột, Châu Đốc - Cần Thơ - Sóc Trăng, Belt Road 3 of Hồ Chí Minh City, and Belt Road 4 of Hà Nội, increasing the total kilometres of commenced expressway construction from the beginning of the year until now to 1,332km.

The Prime Minister commends the proactive efforts of provinces including Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, Sơn La, Hòa Bình, Thái Bình, and Bình Phước in preparing investment for projects. The progress made by Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) in implementing the Long Thành International Airport project is welcomed, but further efforts and endeavours are needed to meet the set timeline.

More efforts for deadline to be reached

The conclusion clearly states that ministries, departments, and localities need to be more proactive and determined, focusing on resolving difficulties and obstacles; reducing administrative procedures, shortening implementation time, and resolutely adhering to the principle of handling tasks within their jurisdiction without pushing, avoiding, or evading.

In this regard, the Ministry of Transport directs project owners and relevant agencies to strongly urge and supervise contractors, pooling all resources, taking advantage of favourable weather conditions, and organizing "3 shifts, 4 teams" construction systems to ensure the committed construction progress and meet disbursement plans. Emphasis should be placed on quality management, aesthetics, and occupational safety; resolute handling of underperforming contractors and those violating contractual timelines as per regulations.

The directive is firm for contractors to coordinate with localities to expedite the completion of procedures for exploiting construction materials mines, enabling operations by the end of July and early August 2023 for those mines that have been submitted. Survey and incorporate additional stone mines meeting reserves, quality, and favourable land procedures for construction materials mines, and complete procedures for remaining mines by no later than October 2023.

This is a prerequisite and the biggest bottleneck to complete the Eastern part of the North-South Expressway project 2021-2025 as scheduled. — VNS