This requirement is stated in document number 57 of the Government Office announcing the conclusions of the Government Standing Committee meeting on the project to invest in high-speed railways on the North-South axis.
Accordingly, the Government Standing Committee assigned the Ministry of Transport to urgently coordinate with the Government Office to establish a Task Force to implement the project of high-speed railways on the North-South axis with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha as the Team Leader; the Minister of Transport as the Deputy Team Leader.
Also according to the assignment of the Government Standing Committee, representatives of the leaders of the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Construction, Justice, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education and Training are members. The Task Force has a working regulation, meeting once a month to timely handle and promote project preparation and implementation.
The Government Standing Committee requires the construction of a high-speed railway line that ensures modern, coherent, and sustainable factors. (Photo: VGP)
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The Ministry of Transport will continue to collect opinions from experts, scientists, and experienced railway officials on various options to choose the most optimal option to submit to the Politburo. Urgently complete the Project, submit to the Government Standing Committee, submit to the Politburo in March 2024. Urgently complete the feasibility study report of the Project, submit to the National Assembly for consideration, and decision on investment policy in 2024
“, the conclusion states.
The Ministry of Transport is also assigned to review and improve the system, the system of norms, standards, etc. to timely revise, supplement, create a favorable legal corridor for the development of railways in general and high-speed railways in particular; build and implement the project on the model of organizing and managing the national railway system (including high-speed railways).
Regarding the Ministry of Planning and Investment in the role of the Standing Agency of the State Appraisal Council, the Government Standing Committee requests to continue the procedures to soon complete the appraisal of the feasibility study report of the Project as prescribed; coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to proactively develop a plan to cooperate with foreign sponsors to mobilize suitable capital for the project.
The Ministry of Finance is in charge of calculating the impact of the Project’s investment on public debt; prioritize allocating the annual state budget estimate to develop science and technology in the field of railways; coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to analyze the financial model of the Project.
The Government Standing Committee thoroughly manages the People’s Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities to closely manage the land fund agreed upon with the Ministry of Transport to facilitate the implementation of the project. Prioritize arranging land funds around the station areas to develop urban areas, functional zones according to the TOD model.
The Government Standing Committee requires the Ministry of Transport to preside, coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to urgently work with China to unify the minutes of meetings, support plans, investment cooperation in the 3 railway lines Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, Hanoi – Dong Dang, Ha Long – Mong Cai (extended coastal railway line Nam Dinh – Thai Binh – Quang Ninh).
In addition, it is necessary to soon invest in the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, Hanoi – Dong Dang, Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong lines, combining freight and passenger transportation; Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City line mainly for passengers.
In the immediate future, according to the Government Standing Committee, it is necessary to focus on investing in the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong lines (strive to start construction in 2025), study the option of using foreign concessional loans (clearly define: preferential loan interest rates, loan value, loan period) and bond issuance plan for investment.
At the same time, restart and deploy investment to complete the railway line Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan according to Conclusion No. 49 of the Politburo.
Regarding the standpoint, the Government Standing Committee believes that the construction of high-speed railway lines must ensure modern, coherent, and sustainable factors in accordance with the direction of the Politburo in Conclusion No. 49. The investment study of high-speed railway lines must be placed in the overall plan, the long-term strategic forecast of the demand for all 5 modes of transport: aviation, road, rail, maritime, inland waterway.
Regarding the investment scenario, the Government Standing Committee requests the Ministry of Transport to continue to study, carefully evaluate, and seek extensive opinions from experts to choose the most appropriate option (comparing options for both passenger and freight transport; passenger-only transportation option); high-speed railway line on the North-South axis for passenger transportation, while the majority of goods are transported by sea (seaports, inland waterway ports) and upgrade existing railway lines.
Regarding the direction of the route, according to the Government Standing Committee, the Ministry of Transport should study and review the route orientation to ensure the most direct route and create new space. Further research on reducing the number of stations to reduce costs.
