Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc inspects the Bến Thành-Suối Tiên Metro No.1 project in HCM City on April 12. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HCM CITY — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and leaders of some ministries and agencies inspected the construction of Metro Line No.1 in HCM City on April 12.

Linking Bến Thành Market in District 1 with Suối Tiên Tourism Park in District 9, Metro Line No.1 is the first of eight metro lines planned in the southern metropolis, with a total length of 220km and accumulated funding of nearly VNĐ25 trillion. 

The project, construction of which began in April 2012, includes four bidding packages using official development assistance (ODA) loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

By now, up to 63.49 per cent of the workload has been fulfilled. The construction is expected to be completed in 2020 and the metro line, also the first of its kind in Việt Nam, is set to open to the public the following year.

PM Phúc lauded the efforts made by ministries and agencies, authorities of HCM City, and officials and workers at the construction site during the implementation of the project.

He described the project as a vivid manifestation of the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Japan, which marked the 45th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties last year.

The PM used the occasion to thank the Japanese government, embassy, and consulate general, as well as the JICA for their support in implementing the important project.

He said the Vietnamese Government had worked with competent agencies to allow HCM City to take charge of adjusting total estimates of the project, thus ensuring resources for the construction.

PM Phúc expressed his hope that the project would go smoothly, meeting requirements of safety, quality, and progress.

Ground clearance

Later the same day, PM Phúc had a meeting with leaders of HCM City on the implementation of special policies and procedures to shorten times for the compensation, resettlement, and handover of land during ground clearance for infrastructure development in the city.

A report showed that in the first quarter of 2019, the city’s GRDP grew 7.64 per cent, with the service sector making up 63.1 per cent of the economic structure and the agriculture sector only accounting for 0.6 per cent.

HCM City’s budget collection was estimated at over VNĐ98.36 trillion (US$4.24 billion), up 7.18 per cent year-on-year and reaching 24.65 per cent of the yearly estimate.

Leaders of the municipal People’s Committee proposed a number of special mechanisms and procedures to save time in ground clearance for local projects.

They held that it is necessary to clarify the stages of the procedure and the specific agencies responsible for it; allocating time for completion of the work in each stage; and defining the maximum time for the conclusion of compensation, support, resettlement, and handover of sites.

Addressing the working session, PM Phúc lauded the city’s performance so far this year, noting that the city has taken the lead in applying technology and improving labour productivity.

However, he pointed out that FDI poured into the city had yet to match its potential, while foreign investment in processing-manufacturing remained modest. The PM requested the city work harder in administrative reform to optimise its role as the region’s connection point.

In addition, the PM asked the city to pay greater attention to raiding drug trafficking rings to uphold social order.

PM Phúc directed the city to seek ways to remove obstacles hindering development and take on its pioneering role in building a smart and creative city.

Regarding the city’s proposal on special mechanisms and procedures to shorten times for the compensation, resettlement, and handover of land for local projects, the PM said that the Government supported the city.

He assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to collect ideas from other ministries and sectors before debating the matter at the upcoming government meeting to serve as a foundation for the Government to issue a resolution helping the city pilot the special mechanisms.

On the occasion, the PM also visited the smart city operation centre in HCM City. — VNS