Hanoi’s Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway route is expected to be piloted in April next year after being delayed several times.

The information was given by Tang Hong, a representative from the China Railway Sixth Group Co, Ltd which was the project EPC.    

Hong said that the engines would be piloted on October 1 on the whole route from La Khe in Ha Dong District to Cat Linh area in Dong Da District, aiming to mainly check the tracks and other parts of the route.

The trial run of the entire route is expected to be carried out on April 1, 2018 if the equipment installation is finished and capital allocation is ensured. To date, just 40% of the equipment has been installed.

Regarding the sluggish pace of the project, Hong said that it was partially due to Hanoi’s slow site clearance. The project was kicked off in October 2011, but until, 2014 the site clearance was finished.

According to Hong, the biggest reason is the capital shortage. The project construction has almost been completed, but the slow capital disbursement has affected equipment installation. 

Currently, more than USD250 million in loans from China for the project have not yet been disbursed due to legal issues.  

Dtinews