Greater efforts needed towards 1,200km of expressways in Mekong Delta: PM

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaking at a meeting on removing obstacles and promoting transport infrastructure in the Mekong Delta region in Cần Thơ on Saturday. VNA/VNS Photo

CẦN THƠ The Mekong Delta is expected to have about 1,200km of expressways, with some 600km to be completed within this tenure, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said during a field trip to the Châu Đốc-Cần Thơ-Sóc Trăng expressway project on July 13.

This is his third fact-finding trip to expressway projects in the region, covering Cần Thơ City and 12 provinces.

The Châu Đốc-Cần Thơ-Sóc Trăng expressway stretches 188.2km, with sub-projects in An Giang, Cần Thơ, Hậu Giang and Sóc Trăng, and total investment amounting to VNĐ44.69 trillion (US$1.75 billion). Its construction began in June 2023, and the whole route is scheduled to be put into service in 2027.

The Government leader inspected the work in Thạnh Tiến Commune, Vĩnh Thạnh District, Cần Thơ City, and in Bình Thạnh Commune, Phụng Hiệp District, Hậu Giang Province, where he got updates on site clearance, material supply, and obstacles to the sub-projects. He asked engineers and workers to speed up the progress, and strive to ensure set targets.

On this occasion, Chính had a meeting with representatives from ministries, agencies and contractors, during which he urged stronger determination, greater efforts and more drastic actions to meet the target of 1,200km of expressways, thus creating momentum for regional development.

He suggested major contractors to team up with their local peers to mobilise on-site personnel, equipment, materials and logistics, and stressed the need to prevent corruption and other negative phenomena during the construction.

Earlier the same day, the leader and his entourage paid tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh and heroic martyrs at the Cần Thơ City martyrs’ cemetery. VNS