VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has instructed the Ministry of Transport to set up a steering board to receive Japanese technical assistance for the Hanoi-Vinh and HCM City-Phan Thiet express railway projects.

Controversies over North-South express railway project

At the meeting in mid-October with the Transport Ministry, Deputy PM Hai, who is also the chief of the National Steering Board for Key Transport Projects, reviewed the implementation of major transport works.

Hai also told the Ministry to quickly conduct site clearance and investment procedures for the urban railway project in Hanoi.

He asked HCM City authorities and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to cooperate with the Japanese donor – JICA to open international tender for the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro route in HCM City.

Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung spoke at the government’s August press conference that Vietnam doesn’t plan to immediately build its express railway right now. However, it is necessary to make research on this project.

The research of Hanoi-Vinh and HCM City-Nha Trang express railway routes and the Hanoi-Noi Bai railway have been added to the cooperation program with Japan in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed to receive Japanese technical assistance to the Hanoi-Vinh and HCM City-Nha Trang express railway routes.

The Ministry of Transport will oversee these projects while the Vietnam Railways Corporation will be the investor.

Le Nhung