Workers at the construction site in front of Hà Nội Station, part of the capital city Metro Line 3 (Nhổn-Hà Nội Station). — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà chaired a working group meeting on Hà Nội and HCM City metro projects on Wednesday, highlighting the need to select and master the advanced urban railway technology in all stages of operations.

Strong coordination is required between the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the two cities’ authorities in developing master plans for their respective metro system, in alignment with their urban planning and strategies as well as infrastructure. 

The MoT must also complete the legal frameworks and policies in urban railway operations and management, especially the human resources and standards for technology and equipment for elevated and underground railways and their stations, the deputy PM said.

“During the investment process, it is also necessary to pay attention to the development of the urban transport construction industry with local businesses,” he added. 

The master plans need to take into account impacts, feasibility and investment potential, as well as the BT (build-transfer) and PPP (public-private partnership) models. 

According to the approved plans, Hà Nội will have 10 metro lines with a total length of 417.8km, while HCM City will have 11 lines with 229.1km in total. 

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà chairs the meeting on Wednesday. —VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

Today, Hà Nội has finished building and put into operation the 13km Cát Linh-Hà Đông Line. Another two lines, Nam Thăng Long-Trần Hưng Đạo and Nhổn-Hà Nội Station, are under construction, totalling 24km. 

Administrative procedures are underway to start commercial operation on the elevated section of the Nhổn-Hà Nội Station Line. The investment planning for Nam Thăng Long-Trần Hưng Đạo Line is being adjusted.

HCM City is building two metro lines, Bến Thành-Suối Tiên và Bến Thành-Tham Lương, which measure up to 20.74km in total. The remaining routes are under planning for investment. 

The Bến Thành-Suối Tiên line has reached 98 per cent completion, while Bến Thành-Tham Lương is aiming to finish land clearance procedures by the end of Q2 this year. 

HCM City authorities are also urging the MoTt, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Construction to support contractors in accelerating the procedures for evaluation and certification for system safety, fire safety, project completion and environmental permit application.

Participants at the meeting also discussed the progress of Hà Nội and HCM City metro master planning, and preparations to hire consulting agencies for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies as well as investment approval procedures. 

Transport minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng underlined that the plans must make clear funding sources, operating models and construction locations. 

They must also address the shortcomings in recent metro projects such as prolonged execution, capital increases and incompatible technology and equipment.

HCM City must also tackle the bottlenecks with contractors on Bến Thành-Suối Tiên Line to bring the project to completion, Thắng added. — VNS