Major transport infrastructure projects expected to boost socio-economic growth

The National Assembly discuss key national projects on transport infrastructure on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

HÀ NỘI — Considered key national projects, several policies and frameworks have been proposed for Ring Roads No. 4 in Hà Nội and No. 3 in HCM City, aiming to create favourable conditions for investment and implementation. 

The two transport infrastructure projects were a topic of discussion during the National Assembly’s meeting session yesterday. 

Ring Road No. 4 in Hà Nội will measure 112.8 kilometres in length, traversing through the capital city, and Hưng Yên, Bắc Ninh Provinces.

The initial investment for this project is expected to be VNĐ85 trillion (US$3.7 billion), funded by the State budget and the build-transfer-operate (BOT) capital of the investors.

Meanwhile, HCM City’s Ring Road No. 3 will have a total length of 76.34 kilometres, running through the city and the provinces of Đồng Nai, Bình Dương, and Long An.

The funding for the first phase of the project is estimated at VNĐ75 trillion (US$3.2 billion), from the State budget.

Construction for these two projects is planned to take place from 2022 to 2027. 

Speaking at the meeting, National Assembly (NA) delegate Nguyễn Phi Thường from Hà Nội agreed with the Government’s proposal, emphasising that one of the strategic missions of the ring road project is to restructure the capital city’s urban landscape, and shaping the development of its region with 10 other cities and provinces.

However, his concern is how to avoid the issues of other megacities in attracting resources and limited spaces, in order for the region to become a modern urban area that will lead and impact the whole country’s development. 

According to NA delegate of Đồng Tháp Province Nguyễn Văn Hòa, these are inter-regional projects that will run through multiple provinces, each having a different policy for compensation and resettlement.

“The Government assigns Hà Nội and HCM City as the leaders for implementation, but their roles, missions, and authority also need to be clarified for a smooth implementation process,” he said.

NA delegate Nguyễn Trúc Sơn from Bến Tre Province added: “With projects that will go through two localities, it is necessary to set up a policy framework for land clearance.”

Responding to the delegates, planning and investment minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng said that the Party’s direction and the NA’s resolutions consider infrastructure as one of the key breakthrough strategies for growth.

There has also been a change in approach, he added and these projects must ensure inter-regional connection, reduce congestion and pollution, and expand the development space for the cities and regions. 

The goal is to form a corridor not just for transportation but also for the economy, said the minister.

In concluding, NA vice chairman Nguyễn Đức Hải said that the NA economic committee and relevant departments will look into the delegates’ suggestions to prepare a resolution for the two ring road projects, which will be submitted to the NA for approval. 

In the same session on Friday, NA delegates also discussed the initial phase of expressways Châu Đốc – Cần Thơ – Sóc Trăng, Khánh Hòa – Buôn Ma Thuột, and Biên Hòa – Vũng Tàu. 

As part of the 2021 – 2030 socio-economic development strategy that was approved by the 13th Party Congress, the project’s aim is to drive socio-economic growth in the regions these expressways pass through and to strengthen national defence and security. — VNS