Transport Minister Dinh La Thang has decided to demote a top official working on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project, following the recent scaffolding and cement collapse.

On Sunday, scaffolding and a frame under construction at the project's terminal in Ha Dong District collapsed while workers poured in concrete. The debris damaged a taxi with four people inside and almost killed nine construction workers. No fatalities were reported.

Nguyen Manh Hung, acting director general of the project's management unit, will be demoted to deputy director general as of January 10.

On Sunday, scaffolding and a frame under construction at the project's terminal in Ha Dong District collapsed while workers poured in concrete. The debris damaged a taxi with four people inside and almost killed nine construction workers. No fatalities were reported.

Soon after the incident, Thang suspended Nguyen Van Bao, deputy director of the project's management unit, and the sub contractor, Viet Nam Technology Consultant and Construction Investment JSC (Vinacontech), ending their participation in the project. Thang also suspended Diem Chi Cuong, the chief consultant overseeing the construction of Ha Dong Terminal.

The transport ministry urged the main contractor to take full responsibility and cover costs incurred by the incident.

Last month, a steel beam dropped from a crane at the project's Thanh Xuan Terminal construction site in Thanh Xuan District. It killed one person and injured two others.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project was approved in 2008. It was originally set to cost US$552 million, but was readjusted to $892 million. The entire project measures 13km, and encompass 12 stations and a depot. It stretches from Cat Linh Street in Dong Da District to Yen Nghia Bus Station in Ha Dong District.

The construction is expected to finish by the end of 2015, with the trial phase set to begin in January 2016.

The case is still under investigation. 

VNS/VNN