Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh (right) on one of the trains of the Nhổn - Hà Nội Station metro during his inspection of the project on Tuesday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Trung Nguyên

HÀ NỘI — Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh on August 6 inspected the preparations for the operation of the elevated section of the Nhổn - Hà Nội Station urban railway project, the city's metro line No.3, ahead of the expected commercial runs later this week.

Reporting on the preparations, Nguyễn Cao Minh, Head of the Hà Nội Metropolitan Railway Management Board, said that all 10 trains had been tested since May and now meet technical requirements.

Vũ Hồng Trường, Chairman of the Board and General Director of Hà Nội Metro One Member Company Ltd (HMC), stated that all preparations regarding personnel and operational processes had also been completed.

"For the time being, the elevated section of the Nhổn - Hà Nội Station line will apply a temporary pricing for tickets and maintenance similar to the Cát Linh-Hà Đông line," Trường said.

The trial run will last for two to three months, and in the first 15 days passengers can enjoy the rides free of charge.

The investor has asked for permission to run the elevated section from August 9, 2024, he told Chairman Thanh.

The plan to connect bus routes with the elevated section of this line has been prepared and is awaiting city approval, head of Hà Nội's transport department Nguyễn Phi Thường said.

"The department recommends that the city allows the Hà Nội Metropolitan Management Board to hand over the line as is to HMC temporarily, making sure that all conditions are met for the line's timely operation to serve the public. Remaining issues will be addressed in time," Thường noted.

Hà Nội's Chairman Thanh praised the efforts of the management board, HMC, the transport department, and related departments and localities, stating that the elevated section of the Nhổn - Hà Nội Station project was ready for operation.

With the current state of the preparations, he asked for the metro's commercial operations to start from August 8, one day earlier than the proposed date.

He also required all units to focus on quickly completing the final procedures, with the top priority being the safe and proper operation of the train.

"Any issues must be reported immediately and the People's Committee and I will support resolving them. The preparation work must be comprehensive and thorough, covering safety, technical aspects, personnel, and sanitation," he stressed.

The metro line, the second to be operational in the capital city, is 12.5km long, with the elevated section (Nhổn-Cầu Giấy District) being 8.5km and the underground section (Cầu Giấy District - Hà Nội Station) being 4km long.

Each hour, about 8,000 passengers can be transported on each direction on the elevated section.

On July 30, the tunnel boring machine began operations on the underground section of the metro line, which passes through several densely populated areas so many challenges may arise, according to the investor.

The metro project started in 2009 and was originally slated to be finished in 2015 but after delays and setbacks, the completion date is now 2027.

The original investment costs of VNĐ18,408 trillion (US$732.14 million, current exchange rate) have now swelled nearly two-fold to VNĐ 34,532 trillion ($1.373 billion). — VNS