At this time, the Government’s presentation has been finalized. However, many delegates remain concerned about the funding and timeline of the project.
The Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh expressway is a vital transportation axis, connecting the Central Highlands with the Southeast, Southwest, and Ho Chi Minh City. The Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh expressway investment will address infrastructure bottlenecks, create new development opportunities, drive socio-economic development, and ensure national defense and security in the Southeast and Central Highlands regions. As proposed by the Government, the Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh expressway will span 128.8 km with 4 lanes, with a preliminary total investment of 25,540 billion VND. Of this amount, the local budget will contribute approximately 2,233 billion VND.
Perspective of Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh Expressway
Standing Member of the National Assembly’s Finance and Budget Committee Le Hoang Anh expressed his concern as the budgets of Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces are currently strained. “The amount of capital required is quite large compared to the revenue of these two localities. Even considering the growth in the first three months of the year and the projected budget revenue for 2023, I believe it will be very difficult for the two localities to fulfill their commitments.”
Vice Chairwoman of the Dak Nong Provincial People’s Committee Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh affirmed that the province will balance its budget and allocate sufficient funds to carry out the project: “Dak Nong is a province with many challenges. However, in the course of implementing and identifying the urgent and critical tasks, we have submitted a proposal to the People’s Council and determined that we can allocate these funds. The People’s Council has also approved the allocation of all necessary funds for the project.”
As for the central government’s budget, the disbursement of a substantial amount of capital is projected to occur over a three-year period from 2024 to 2026. Delegate Nguyen Thanh Nam from Phu Tho province expressed skepticism about the feasibility of this timeline, given the complexity of the project and the limited time remaining.
Delegate Nguyen Thanh Nam stated: “Time is of the essence, and with the workload involved, I am concerned whether we will be able to complete the project by December 31, 2026. While political awareness and determination are crucial for the implementation of transportation projects, technical standards must also be met. We cannot rely solely on determination to get the job done.”
The Gia Nghia – Chon Thanh Expressway is part of the North-South Expressway in the West, a critical route that will contribute to the implementation of resolutions and conclusions of the Party and the National Assembly, as well as promote socio-economic development and ensure national defense and security. This is a special-grade project of high scale and complexity, requiring professional management and meticulous preparation to ensure the progress and quality of the project.
