VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport on October 10, started the construction of the 13km Cat Linh – Ha Dong elevated light-rail route, with investment capital of $552 million.
This is the second elevated light-rail route in Hanoi, which is expected to become operational in 2015. The first is the $1 billion Nhon – Hanoi railway station, which is also underway

The route starts from Cat Linh station in Dong Da district and ends at Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong district. There will have 13 trains running on this route, with maximal speed of 80km per hour.

Of the total investment of $552 million, $169 million come from loans of the Chinese government, $250 million of soft loans and the remaining is Vietnam’s reciprocal capital.

The investor is the Ministry of Transport’s Railway Agency and the contractor is a Chinese railway corporation.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang emphasized that gridlock is a big problem in cities. The government has instructed the Ministry of Transport to develop public means of transport in cities and restrict personal vehicles. The elevated light-rail route is among projects to realize the government’s instruction.

According to Hanoi’s development plan to 2030 and vision to 2050, Hanoi will have eight urban railway routes.

TA