HCMC – DonaCoop and VinaCapital have asked for approval to study the possibility of extending Metro Line No. 1, which connects Ben Thanh Market and Suoi Tien Theme Park in HCMC, to Long Thanh International Airport.
DonaCoop Infrastructure Investment JSC and VinaCapital Group have submitted a proposal to the Dong Nai People’s Council and People’s Committee, seeking approval to prepare a pre-feasibility study for the metro line extension and to develop transit-oriented development (TOD) urban areas along the route.
According to the two companies, the Dong Nai government on June 12 expressed support for a study into the extension of Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien urban railway to the province’s new administrative center, with an additional branch into the old Bien Hoa City center and a connection to Long Thanh International Airport.
The two firms have since worked with provincial departments to survey the existing route, identify land for TOD development, and review necessary procedures for the next phases of the project. They have also been in discussions with domestic and international consultants experienced in metro planning, design, and development.
They are now requesting permission from the provincial government to participate in drafting and submitting the pre-feasibility study for both the metro extension and the TOD plan.
The project is proposed to be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) through a build-transfer (BT) contract.
The planned extension would span some 38.5 kilometers in three sections: 6.5 kilometers from station S0 to the new provincial administrative center, 27 kilometers from the center to Long Thanh International Airport, and five kilometers from the center to Thong Nhat Ward in Bien Hoa City.
The VND65-trillion investment, excluding land clearance, would be fully financed by the consortium and its partners.
Construction is expected to take four to six years after site clearance is completed.
