A HCM City metro train at Bình Thái station in Thủ Đức city. The proposed metro line extension will reach Đồng Nai Province’s Biên Hòa city, spanning over 18km, and Bình Dương Province’s Bến Cát town, covering nearly 30km.— VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City will need over VNĐ86 trillion (US$3.6 billion) from public funds to extend its first metro route to the neighbouring provinces of Bình Dương and Đồng Nai.

The funds will be allocated for the compensation, resettlement of affected households, construction costs, equipment, project management, consultancy, and other related expenses.

The proposed metro line extension will reach Đồng Nai Province’s Biên Hòa City, spanning over 18km, and Bình Dương Province’s Bến Cát Town, covering nearly 30km.

The proposal was submitted by the HCM City Department of Transport to the People’s Committees of HCM City, and Đồng Nai and Bình Dương provinces.

The extended metro line will help alleviate travel in the two provinces and HCM City, attract more passengers, and enhance urban development along the route, experts said.

It will also help reduce traffic overload in the northeastern part of the country’s largest city.

HCM City will collaborate with agencies in the two provinces to develop the project and ensure it is operational on schedule.

The city’s first metro line connects Bến Thành Market in District 1 with Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City.

The line covers 19.7km of track with 2.6km underground (with three stations) and over 17km above ground (with 11 stations).

Despite construction beginning in 2012, the line has faced numerous delays.

Originally projected for completion in 2018, ongoing financial issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further delays, and the project is now expected to be completed by July 2024.

Following several adjustments, the cost of the line has risen to over VNĐ47 trillion ($2.49 billion), according to HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways. — VNS