PM inspects, attends groundbreaking ceremony of infrastructure projects in Lào Cai

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attends the groundbreaking ceremony of a social housing project in Lào Cai City in the northern mountainous province of the same name on Sunday. VNA/VNS Photo

LÀO CAI – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính inspected the construction site of the Lào Cai - Hà Nội - Hải Phòng railway project and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a social housing project in Lào Cai City in the northern mountainous province of the same name on Sunday.

The nearly-400km railway, expected to have a total investment of around US$11.6 billion, will pass through nine provinces and cities, namely Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Phú Thọ, Vĩnh Phúc, Hà Nội, Bắc Ninh, Hưng Yên, Hải Dương and Hải Phòng. Its construction is expected to start at the end of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2030.

Inspecting the site that connects with the Chinese railway and the proposed site to build the Lào Cai station, PM Chính urged the Ministry of Transport to closely coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to complete the project's dossiers, especially regarding investment policies and mechanisms, to submit to the Government and competent authorities for consideration.

He emphasised that this is an important project that needs to be implemented soon, so the procedures should be streamlined.

The selection of design consultants and construction contractors should also be studied thoroughly and conducted to ensure the project is implemented as quickly as possible, PM Chính stressed, adding that the railway line should be studied with the most direct and shortest route possible, without following the old route.

He also called for adjustments to the number and locations of cargo and passenger stations to ensure effective operations.

In addition, the design of the train speed and track gauge must ensure smooth and synchronised connectivity with the railway line of China. In particular, close coordination with the Chinese side is essential to implement the project in a concerted manner, ensuring seamless connectivity between the railways of the two countries, he said.

Highlighting the need for a long-term vision, the Government leader requested that, alongside completing the railway project, relevant ministries, sectors, and localities must work together to build logistics zones, service warehouses, free trade areas, and urban areas to bring into full play the potential of the railway line. This includes researching mechanisms to attract investment in components such as stations, service areas, and logistics, added PM Chính.

The same day the Government leader attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Golden Square Lào Cai social housing project in Bắc Lềnh Ward, Lào Cai City.

Implemented by a consortium of the Đông A Golden Square and Foodinco Quy Nhơn JSCs, the project covers an area of over 42,317sq.m, accommodating a population of approximately 5,600 people. It is designed to feature four buildings ranging from 18 to 23 stories, with a total of 2,189 apartments. The project's total investment is VNĐ2.08 trillion ($81.91 million), with completion expected in 2029. The project will include modern landscaping, services, and amenities such as a kindergarten, entertainment centre, outdoor sports clubs, children's playgrounds, green gardens, and parking areas.

In his remarks, PM Chính stressed that Golden Square Lào Cai contributes to the implementation of the Government’s plan to invest in at least one million social housing units by 2030. He urged the province and other stakeholders to improve their efforts in such development and to complete the goal of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses by June 2025.

The leader called for localities to continue planning land use and hand over sites to investors promptly. He underscored the importance of collaboration in the implementation of social housing projects with the principle of harmonising benefits and sharing risks.

Moreover, he said, it is necessary to change the perception of the quality and living environment of social housing facilities, ensuring that these homes are of high quality, green, clean, beautiful, and equipped with essential infrastructure, including transport, electricity, water, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and other social services.

In particular, PM Chính requested relevant authorities to continue improving policies to support buyers, renters, and lease-to-own tenants of social houses, making sure that they are long-term (5-10 years), rather than just two years at present. – VNS