HCMC – Stressing that metro lines are a modern means of transport, which helps reduce traffic jams in large cities worldwide, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said that urban railways are an inevitable solution to resolve urban traffic congestion.
The ministry has worked with the Hanoi and HCMC governments to develop metro lines but these projects have faced many problems, especially slow progress, he said during a discussion at the 10th sitting of the National Assembly (NA) on November 3.
The Government, the ministry and the two cities have worked on these problems, The said, adding that the planning and the selection of investors and contractors must be improved.
He affirmed that the ministry would take up suggestions from NA deputies and voters and work with the Hanoi and HCMC governments to prevent these problems in new urban railway projects.
As for the traffic system in the Mekong Delta, the ministry has directed the relevant agencies to study the development of seven expressways in the region and focus on important sections, routes and areas in the next five years, The said.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Transport has submitted a plan to the Government to further invest in expressway projects, especially the Trung Luong-My Thuan-Can Tho expressway project.
If expressways are not developed, it will be hard to attract investors. Therefore, the ministry has come up with specific plans to develop the traffic system in the Mekong Delta, thus fulfilling the region’s development potential, The said.
NA deputy Nguyen Phi Thuong from Hanoi agreed that the development of urban railways is an indispensable trend and that it could demonstrate its efficiency if it is associated with the development of the urban space.
HCMC and Hanoi are experiencing rapid urbanization, putting pressure on infrastructure, especially traffic facilities, causing traffic jams and environmental pollution and affecting the lives of local residents. Urban railways are considered an optimal solution to these problems.
He proposed the NA and the Government assign the competent agencies to study the private urban railway model in Tokyo, Japan, allow private investors to develop these projects and benefit from the development of the urban space and exploitation of empty land lots along these projects.
