The Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB) says that in the past eight months of 2021, despite the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, MRB and contractors still implemented the project. About 74% of the workload of the project has bern completed and 89% for the elevated section.

However, MRB Deputy Head Le Trung Hieu acknowledges that the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the project as it has disrupted construction.

Contractors have made their best effort to implement bidding packages during the time of the pandemic. However, it is likely that the project will not be completed by the end of 2021 as planned.

According to Hieu, the delay is mainly due to the impact of the pandemic and social distancing. The transportation of imported equipment to the construction site is much slower than the planned schedule. The mobilization of foreign experts has been significantly affected. Due to restricted travel between localities, it is difficult for contractors to mobilize workers and equipment. The working environment also applies measures of social distancing, which partly affects construction work.

In order to remove difficulties and speed up project implementation, MRB proposes prioritizing vaccination against Covid-19 for 100% of workers participating in the project; issue a mechanism accompanying funding for the project's epidemic prevention work.

The MRB also proposes that relevant agencies facilitate licensing for foreign experts; and
license specialized vehicles for transport equipment, supplies and construction materials from other provinces to construction sites.

Hieu says that all nine bidding packages are under construction, with about 600 workers working directly on the construction site and online at the office.

The Nhon-Hanoi railway station section has a total length of 12.5km. The route passes through eight elevated stations and four underground stations.

The project is expected to be put into operation by late 2021 and the 4km underground section (Cau Giay-Hanoi railway station) will be completed in late 2022.

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