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The standing members of the Government have requested the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and relevant agencies to complete the North-South express railway line project to submit to competent authorities for consideration in a coulle of months.

Developing a North-South express railway line is a must for Vietnam to keep up with passenger and freight transportation trends both regionally and globally. (Illustrative image)

The Government’s standing members at a recent meeting assigned the MoT to continue to collect opinions from experts, scientists, and experienced officials in the railway industry to choose an optimal solution for submission to the Political Bureau in March.

They also asked the designated bodies to urgently complete the project’s pre-feasibility study report and submit it to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on investment plans in 2024.

The MoT will collaborate with the Government’s Office to establish a working group on implementation of the project. The working group will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and will be comprised of leaders of various ministries in charge of planning and investment, finance, industry and trade, construction, justice, natural resources and environment, agriculture and rural development, and education and training.

The working group will meet once a month to promptly handle and promote the preparation and implementation of the project.

At a review meeting of the Vietnam Railways Corporation on January 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh showed Vietnam’s resolve to build the North-South express railway line. He urged the MoT to complete preparatory steps for the project to be submitted to competent authorities for consideration and approval in 2024.

Last February, the Politburo issued a conclusion on Vietnam’s railway development orientation, which required concerned agencies to research, analyze and evaluate international experience to choose a modern construction investment plan.

The plan must have a long-term vision, promote the country's advantages and potential, and be suitable for the country and the world's development trends.

The MoT has so far suggested three options to the Government with regard to developing the North-South high-speed railway route.

The first option will see Vietnam build a double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435m at a total length of 1,545km for only passenger trains that are designed to run at a maximum speed of 350 km/h. The existing railway route that has a track gauge of 1,000m will be upgraded to transport goods.

In the second option, the country will construct a new double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435m for both passenger and freight trains to run at a maximum speed of 250 km/h.

The third option will see Vietnam build a new double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435m for passenger trains to run at a maximum speed of 350km/h, and for freight trains if necessary. At the same time the existing North - South railway line will be upgraded for goods transportation.

Last October, the Government Office announced conclusions made by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha who requested that the synchronous and modern development of the North-South high-speed railway occur in accordance with world trends. The route will support trains at a designed speed of 350 km/h and will become the backbone of the national transport system.

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