Tân Cảng Station on HCM City’s Metro Line No. 1 between Bến Thành Market in District 1 and Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

HCM CITY — The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has introduced to the municipal People’s Committee a plan for the development of an urban railway system in the city.

This plan aims to realise the goal set in the conclusion of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Việt Nam and address the developmental direction of the country’s railway transportation by 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Accordingly, planning for the urban railway system in the city includes eight metro routes and three tram lines (or one monorail route), with a total length of 220km and an estimated investment of more than US$25 billion.

Until now, only two metro routes have had their projects started.

Construction of Metro Line No. 1 running from Bến Thành Market in District 1 to Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City began in 2007, has completed 96 per cent of its work volume, and is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

The line completed a full-line trial run for the first time on August 29, and is set to be operational for commercial use starting from July 2024.

Metro Line No. 2 between Bến Thành Market and Tham Lương in District 12 is at the land clearance and technical infrastructure relocation stages, and is expected to be completed in 2032.

Meanwhile, the first phase of Metro Line No. 5 from Bảy Hiền Intersection in Tân Bình District to Sài Gòn Bridge in Bình Thạnh District is completing necessary investment procedures.

Metro Line No. 3 from Bến Thành Market to Tân Kiên in Bình Chánh District is carrying out procedures for project approval.

The second and third phases of Metro Line No. 2 from Bến Thành Market to Thủ Đức City's Thủ Thiêm and from An Sương Bus Station in Hóc Môn District to Northwestern Urban Area in Củ Chi District are grabbing the interest of investors.

The remaining metro lines are calling for investment.

According to Nguyễn Quốc Hiển, deputy head of MAUR, Resolution 98/2023/QH15 provides the foundation and a great tool for the development of an urban railway system in the city.

Resolution 98 grants special mechanisms and policies for stimulating the city's growth, addressing challenges, and fostering innovation and sustainability.

It also allows the city to mobilise more diverse investment sources.

The implementation of a transit-oriented development (TOD) model lets the city make the best use of its own land resources to increase the city budget to complete its railway system. — VNS