Feasibility studies begin on inter-city express rail links

News - The Ministry of Transport yesterday asked the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to start conducting feasibility studies on two portions of an express-railway linking Ha Noi with Vinh City (the capital of central Nghe An Province) and HCM City-Nha Trang.

Nguyen Huu Bang, director general of the Viet Nam Railway Corporation, was expected to have an official meeting with JICA to discuss the issue today.

In an interview with VnExpress, Nguyen Minh Thuyet, vice chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, said the decision to start a feasibility study for the Ha Noi-HCM City express railway did not contradict an earlier National Assembly decision to block the national high-speed rail network. The plan’s implementation will still face a National Assembly vote prior to being enacted.

During discussions at the National Assembly’s June session, a majority of legislators rejected the rail plan due to the prohibitive costs involved and perceived lack of social benefits.

The project would cost about US$56 billion. Japan has agreed to grant Viet Nam Official Development Assistance to undertake the feasibility study.

According to Do Van Hat, director general of the Railways Investment and Construction Consultancy Company, the study would start sometime in November 2010. It is due for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

In addition, the Viet Nam Railway Corporation has asked JICA to help develop a feasibility study for the construction of a 25km express railway from Ngoc Hoi station (south of Ha Noi) to Noi Bai International Airport, Hat said.