Prime Minister urges faster progress on Hanoi’s second metro line

THE HANOI TIMES — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged Hanoi authorities to speed up the progress of the Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway project and draft a railway development master plan with an over-100-year vision.

The government leader made the statement while inspecting and offering encouragement to the forces working on the Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway line in the capital city on February 22.

Extending Lunar New Year greetings to the forces involved in the project, Chinh highly valued the efforts of Hanoi authorities, relevant agencies, especially engineers and workers performing duties around the clock, even during the Tet holiday, at the construction site.

He emphasized that Hanoi needs a fundamental shift in mindset, methodology and approach due to the prolonged implementation of the metro project.

"The sooner the project is completed, the sooner trade, investment and tourism will develop, creating momentum for the city's economic growth," Chinh said.

At the meeting with Hanoi authorities, the investors and contractors, the prime minister praised the encouraging results achieved so far, affirming that the project is being carried out promptly so that it can become fully operational in 2027.

He pointed out that Hanoi has completed only 21 kilometers of urban railway over the past 17 years. "To achieve the target of over 600 kilometers by 2045, the pace of construction must increase dozens of times. Therefore, a fundamental shift in implementation mindset, methodology and approach is imperative," Chinh stressed.

Assigning tasks to relevant units and Hanoi to accelerate the project and develop the railway industry, the government leader requested the swift finalization and issuance of a comprehensive set of technical standards and regulations for the urban railway system.

He urged authorities to quickly draft the railway development master plan, including urban networks, with a vision spanning over 100 years. "This strategic plan must eliminate the waste of time, effort, capital and land while ensuring a bright, green, clean and beautiful environment," said Chinh.

He also demanded to promote human resources training, to have 90% of the sector’s workforce being Vietnamese nationals in consultancy, design, construction, management and operations.

The prime minister underlined that shaping a modern, smart, digital and green railway governing system is crucial to involve Vietnamese technology enterprises and draw on international practices.