The Capital Calls for Over $37 Billion to Complete 10 Urban Railway Routes

At a conference on August 17, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan announced the city’s plans for its urban railway system. According to the Master Plan for Hanoi’s Construction and Transport Development by 2030, with a vision towards 2050, Hanoi’s urban railway system will consist of 10 lines, totaling over 410 kilometers.

Recently, a proposal to adjust the Hanoi Master Plan until 2045, with a vision towards 2065, suggested the addition of five more lines, bringing the total number of urban railway lines to 15, with a total length of 616.9 kilometers.

Mr. Duong Duc Tuan emphasized Hanoi’s determination to complete the construction of 10 urban railway lines, totaling over 410.8 kilometers, by 2035. He provided a breakdown of the capital requirements for the project, stating that the 2024-2030 period would require approximately $14.6 billion for 96.8 kilometers of construction, while the 2031-2035 period would need around $22.5 billion for 301 kilometers.

By 2035, Hanoi will require support from the central government to the tune of over $8.6 billion, as the city can only mobilize around $28.56 billion from its own resources and other potential sources.

Looking further ahead to 2045, the city plans to complete the remaining five lines, totaling 201 kilometers in length. This will bring Hanoi’s urban railway system to life, with 15 lines and a total length of approximately 616.9 kilometers. The capital requirement for this phase is estimated at $18.252 billion.

Hanoi’s management is currently researching and implementing investment projects for several urban railway lines, including Line 2.1 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao), Line 3.2 (Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai), Line 5 (Van Cao – Hoa Lac), and an extension of Line 2A (Ha Dong – Xuan Mai).

The city will prioritize investing in urban railway lines in the central urban area to tackle the worsening traffic congestion. Hanoi will focus on lines that have been thoroughly prepared, including Line 1 (Ngoc Hoi – Yen Vien), Line 2 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao), Line 3 (Cau Giay – Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai), and Line 5 (Van Cao – Hoa Lac).

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the Red River Delta region to focus on developing one national driving force region (including Hanoi and localities along National Highway 5 and National Highway 18 through Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh), two sub-regions (north and south of the Red River), four growth poles (Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, and Hai Phong), and five domestic economic corridors with international connections.

The Prime Minister instructed to prioritize investment in key projects with direct and significant impacts on socio-economic development, high connectivity, and the potential for international integration. He emphasized the development of energy sources and the electricity grid, as well as new and renewable energy sources and irrigation infrastructure.

Mr. Pham Minh Chinh urged the ministries, sectors, and localities in charge to expedite procedures and accelerate the implementation of key regional and inter-regional projects, including the urban railway Line 2 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao), the Ninh Binh – Hai Phong expressway, and projects at Cat Bi International Airport.

Additionally, the Prime Minister advised the relevant parties to propose mechanisms and policies, including special ones, for his consideration and decision.