According the Ministry of Transport’s railway project management, Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated train, the first of its kind in Hanoi city, will undergo a test run on the whole system on September 20. 

Cat Linh - Ha Dong elevated train to undergo a trial on the whole system in September. 

At present, Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway project has had about 96% of construction plan completed. Several items such as terminal architecture, depot units, depot infrastructure are unfinished, according to the railway project management unit. 

The managers cited the reason some of these items have not been completed as the Chinese general contractor has not imported all the materials. 

The contractor has delayed in finalizing the detailed test operation plan, maintenance procedures, and certification records for a safe system.

Regarding the plan for the full test run, the railway project management unit said that they will carry out calibration and commissioning of all planned items (including trains and 11 related equipment) from September 20. 

The commercial operation is expected to take place after three-six months of the trial run.

The Chinese-funded Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway is 13km long and has 12 elevated stations. 

The project is expected to finish from November 2008 to November 2013 with a total investment of more than US$552 million, but was revised up to US$868 million (including government funding combined with China's official development assistance loans).

Currently, the railway has been connected to the national power grid for trial operation.

Hanoitimes