Hà Nội Railway Station. The new railway route links the northern province of Lạng Sơn and Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Two railway lines linking Hà Nội and the northern border province of Lạng Sơn have been proposed for detailed planning, including a new Hà Nội–Đồng Đăng line.

The lines are designed for double tracks, standard-gauge rails and a maximum design speed of 160km per hour.

The proposal is included in a draft plan for railway lines and stations in the Hà Nội railway hub area, which is currently under appraisal by the Ministry of Construction.

According to the draft's explanatory report, detailed planning for the two lines is intended to provide a basis for coordinated investment and reserve land for development along the railway corridors.

The existing railway line will remain in operation, starting at Hà Nội Station before the central section is handed over to the capital's authorities, or at Gia Lâm Station once the eastern ring railway line has been built and put into operation.

The draft also proposes converting the existing section between Hà Nội and Gia Lâm stations into an urban railway line.

Meanwhile, under the consultant's proposal, the new Hà Nội–Đồng Đăng railway will begin at Gia Lâm Station for passenger trains and Yên Thường Station for freight trains, both in Hà Nội.

The section under study will end at the boundary between former Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces.

In terms of preliminary technical specifications, the new line is proposed to have double tracks, a gauge of 1,435mm and a design speed of 160km per hour.

The proposed alignment would start at Gia Lâm and Yên Thường stations at ground level and continue at ground level to Tiên Du Station. The railway would then gradually rise onto an elevated structure for the remainder of the section under study.

The alignment still requires further assessment and clarification, either during the preparation of a separate detailed plan or at the project's pre-feasibility study stage.

Alongside the existing line, the new Hà Nội–Đồng Đăng railway is being studied for detailed planning under a technical assistance project provided by China. — VNS