Parliament issues resolution on construction of North-South high-speed railway

HÀ NỘI — National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn has issued a resolution on the investment policy for the North-South high-speed rail project.

The resolution states that the construction of a modern and integrated railway aims to meet transport needs and create motives for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, while captialising on the advantages of the North-South economic corridor, ensuring effective connectivity with the eastern and western corridors. along with regional countries.

In addition, the railway is expected to help with international integration, protect the environment and tackle climate change, as well as promoting the nation’s industrialisation and modernisation, contributing to delivering on the goals and missions set at the document adopted at the 13th National Party Congress and other resolutions of the Party.

Starting from Ngọc Hồi Station in Hà Nội, the 1,541-kilometre railway will pass through 20 provinces and centrally-run cities before ending at Thủ Thiêm Station in HCM City.

The project includes the construction of a twin-track line with a standard gauge of 1,435mm, designed to operate at speeds of up to 350km/h. It will feature 23 passenger stations and five cargo stations, serving both passenger and freight transport.

More than 10,800ha of land will be required for the project, with some 120,800 people expected to be relocated.

The costs of the project are estimated at more than VNĐ1.7 quadrillion (US$66.7 billion), coming from the State budget allocated over multiple mid-term investment planning periods, along with other legal sources.

A feasibility study will be carried out from 2025, with basic completion is expected in 2035.

The Government is responsible for carrying out the project and managing its investment in accordance with related regulations, ensuring that it stays on schedule with quality and the economical and effective use of capital and resources, preventing corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena. Communications should be enhanced to raise public awareness and create public consensus on the investment policy.

Based on the actual needs of localities, the Government will consider whether and where to invest in building more stations in areas with high volumes of passenger traffic.

Localities and the State utility group Việt Nam Electricity (EVN) will be directly responsible to the Government for the successful implementation of compensation and resettlement works along with other sub-projects, as well as ensuring the progress and quality of these works.

State-run Việt Nam Railways will be in charge of infrastructure management, maintenance and operation. It will collaborate with other enterprises to continue restructuring, build a modern and effective infrastructure management model, contributing to the country’s rail industry development. — VNS