Request to clarify investment level of more than 67 billion USD for North-South high-speed railway

On October 15, the State Appraisal Council issued a conclusion on the pre-feasibility report of the North-South high-speed railway project submitted by the Ministry of Transport.

According to the proposal of the Ministry of Transport, the project has a total preliminary investment of more than 1.7 million billion VND (equivalent to 67.34 billion USD), a double-track route, 1,435 mm gauge.

In the announcement, the State Appraisal Council requested the Ministry of Transport to review the total investment and investment scale of each item based on correct, sufficient and appropriate calculations at the stage of preparing the pre-feasibility study report.

"This must be analyzed based on the standard framework applied in practice to similar projects around the world and in accordance with Vietnam's natural, economic and social conditions," the Appraisal Council noted.

The Ministry of Transport also needs to review the assessment of the project's socio-economic and financial efficiency, clarify the mobilization plan, and the ability to balance capital for the project. This must ensure feasibility and compliance with regulations.

Previously, the Prime Minister requested agencies to review and propose specific, special mechanisms for the project, including resource mobilization and procedures for land, site clearance, and construction materials. This must follow the motto of "open mechanism, simplified procedures, and shortened construction".

Regarding this content, the State Appraisal Council requested the Ministry of Transport to review and clarify special mechanisms and policies to report to the National Assembly for consideration and decision.

Other necessary policy mechanisms need to be clarified, such as supporting enterprises in technology transfer, ODA loans, low-cost foreign incentives, as well as adjusting urban planning and land use...

The high-speed railway line is expected to start at Ngoc Hoi Station (Hanoi) and end at Thu Thiem Station (Ho Chi Minh City). The project will pass through 20 provinces and cities with 23 passenger stations and 5 freight stations. This route will transport passengers, meet dual-use requirements for national defense and security, and can transport freight when necessary.

In the announcement on October 6, the Government Standing Committee requested agencies to closely follow the investment policy of the entire route with a design speed of 350 km/h. The route needs to be as straight as possible to reduce costs, ensure operating speed, create new development space and save costs.

Therefore, the State Appraisal Council requested the Ministry of Transport to explain in detail the technical requirements of the route with a speed of 350 km/h in the exploitation of container ships.

In addition, this agency needs to carefully review the forecast data on transportation demand (passengers, goods) on the North-South corridor, clarify the scale of the station to meet ancillary activities such as parking, connection with other means of transport...

Transport authorities are also asked to assess the advantages of public investment compared to other forms, especially for sections that do not have advantages for railway development.

The North-South high-speed railway project will be considered for approval of the project investment policy during the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, opening on October 21.