The Hà Nội Party Committee has approved the construction of two new metro lines in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Party Committee has approved a plan to build two new metro lines.

They are Line No 3 from Hà Nội Railway Station to Hoàng Mai District and Line No 5 from Văn Cao to Hòa Lạc.

At a meeting held by Hà Nội's Party Committee on Wednesday, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Thế Hùng said Line No 3 would play a special role in completing the first stage of the urban railway network in the city centre.

The line, connecting Hà Nội Railway Station to the outlying district of Hoàng Mai, would connect with Line No 2 at Hàng Bài Station, Line No 4 at Ring Road 2.5 and Line No 8 at Ring Road 3 to create a cohesive urban metro network.

The total length of the main route would be more than 8.7km, with an underground section of 8.13km and seven stations.

Total estimated investment for Line No 3 is estimated at VNĐ40.5 trillion (US$1.79 billion).

ODA and concessional loans will be worth $1.48 trillion, while the rest will come from a domestic counterpart fund from the city for site clearance, resettlement, project management, taxes and other expenses.

The project is expected to start in 2022 and go into operation by the end of 2028.

In addition, the metro Line No 5 connecting Văn Cao and Hòa Lạc will have total estimated funding of VNĐ65.4 trillion ($2.9 billion) from public investment.

The total route will run 38.43km, with a 6.5km underground section and 2km of elevated rails.

It will have 21 stations with six underground.

The project is scheduled for completion by 2025.

This will help passengers move quickly and conveniently from the suburbs to the city centre and reduce urban traffic density while improving travel conditions.

At the meeting, participants said the two metro lines were needed to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, noise and traffic accidents.

They would also promote urban development around the city centre, and contribute to the reallocation of people from core urban areas, they said.

Deputy Secretary of the city’s Party Committee and Chairwoman of the city’s People's Council Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc said the committee had agreed to assign the city's Party’s Committee's personnel division to direct relevant agencies to urgently complete a report and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval.

At the meeting, the committee also approved a report by the personnel division on the adjustment of the Hà Nội Capital master plan to 2030, with a vision to 2050 in Phase 1 and part of Phase 2 in Hải Bối Commune, Đông Anh District. — VNS