PM orders relevant ministries, agencies expedite major transport projects’ progress

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chairs the 13th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Major Transport Projects on Thursday morning in Hà Nội.—VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Tiếp

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính ordered relevant ministries and agencies to focus on assessing the implementation of assigned tasks and to expedite the progress of major transport projects.

Specifically, the relevant ministries and agencies were required to provide detailed reports on the implementation of their tasks, highlighting any shortcomings, obstacles, difficulties and offer up planned measures for the future.

The relevant ministries and agencies were asked to offer up solutions to address issues such as procedures for obtaining construction materials for the projects, land handover progress and technical infrastructure relocation.

The Prime Minister told the Ministry of Planning and Investment to guide investment project appraisal procedures and fund allocation; the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to instruct land-use change for forestry; the Ministry of Construction to address prices, norms and methods for determining material costs at quarries; the Ministry of Finance to provide guidance on Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to manage material extraction and land-use change; and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to guide the relocation of electrical infrastructure.

The requirements were issued during the 13th meeting of the National Steering Committee for Major Transport Projects, chaired by the Prime Minister on Thursday morning.

The meeting aims to review and push forward the tasks since the 12th meeting of the committee, discuss solutions and continue to resolve difficulties to accelerate progress.

Also at the meeting, PM Chính said one of the goals set by the 13th National Congress was to have 3,000 km of expressways by 2025 and 5,000 km by 2030.

The 13th National Congress also identified three strategic breakthroughs, including infrastructure development.

In line with the Party’s resolutions, the Government had established the National Steering Committee for Major Transport Projects, which monitored and directed 40 major transport projects across three areas of roads, railways and aviation, stretching over 48 provinces and cities nationwide.

After 12 meetings of the committee, 12 conclusions and over 400 directives were made to address issues and accelerate the projects’ implementation of Long Thành International Airport, the eastern part of the North-South Expressway, funding for urban railway projects, the implementation of the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway and the issuance of expressway standards.

Two expressway projects were completed with a total length of 693 km, running across 15 provinces and cities, bringing the total expressway network to approximately 2,021 km so far.

Completed projects contributed to socio-economic development, creating new growth space for localities, establishing new urban and service zones, increasing land value, reducing logistics costs, facilitating travel, generating jobs and livelihoods for local residents and boosting public support.

The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the official launch of commercial operations on the elevated section of the Nhổn – Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line on Thursday morning.

The achievements were attributed to the significant efforts of ministries, agencies and Hà Nội administration, he said.

Progress report

At the event, the Ministry of Transport reported that it was actively directing contractors to deploy the major transport projects such as the eastern part of the North-South Expressway, Khánh Hòa-Buôn Ma Thuột Expressway and the Chơn Thành-Đức Hòa Expressway.

The progress of the projects was largely on track, with some sub-projects expected to finish three to six months ahead of schedule.

However, several sub-projects, including the Cần Thơ-Cà Mau, Biên Hòa-Vũng Tàu, Rạch Sỏi-Bến Nhất, Gò Quao-Vĩnh Thuận, were lagging behind and needed to accelerate.

In terms of local projects, HCM City, Hà Nội and provinces of Long An, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Đắk Lắk, Hà Giang and Hậu Giang were progressing as planned.

Other provinces were experiencing delays and lower-than-expected construction output.

The Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway was proceeding according to schedule. The Việt Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC) managed the allocation of funds and contractor selection for domestic firms to meet the 2025 completion goal of the J3-1 package.

Regarding Long Thành International Airport, the first sub-project to construct State-management offices was on track. The second sub-project was underway on constructing the air traffic control tower and related structures, the selection of contractors for five specialised air traffic management equipment packages was also ongoing.

The third sub-project on building passenger terminal, runways, taxiways and two connecting roads was in line with the plan while some packages were delayed in technical design approval, requiring acceleration to ensure an integrated operation.

The fourth sub-project’s tender documents were being reviewed to select investors.

The T3 Passenger Terminal at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport was progressing as scheduled.

The construction of Trần Quốc Hoàn – Cộng Hòa Road (leading to the T3 Passenger Terminal at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport) aimed for completion by December this year.

The Nhổn – Hà Nội Railway Station urban railway line was officially launched for commercial operation on the elevated section, while the tunnel excavation for the underground section had started. The Bến Thành-Suối Tiên urban railway line was being tested for safety certification, with commercial operations expected in the fourth quarter of this year. — VNS