HCMC – The State Appraisal Council has proposed that the Ministry of Transport add a new option to use the high-speed railway to carry both passengers and cargo, instead of just passengers as planned.
Following the State Appraisal Council’s request, the railway project’s management board, consultant and relevant units were asked to supplement the second scenario for the expressway railway construction to have a basis for comparing the two options.
The main supplemented contents include adding the function of freight transport, building a new railway on the North-South axis using a double track with a width of 1,435 mm, and upgrading and electrifying the express railway to make it in line with Vietnam’s commitments made at COP26 for passengers and freight transport.
The railway route in the second scenario is the same as previously agreed with localities. With some localities requesting adjustments, the Railway Project Management Board, the consultant, will work with the localities to reach an agreement on the route and cargo stations for the new scenario.
According to its previous report on the pre-feasibility study, the North–South express railway would be used to carry passengers at an operating speed of 320 kph. The project, which needs around US$58.71 billion in investment, will have 80% of its capital funded by the State budget and the remainder being sourced from the private sector.
The project is expected to be completed by 2045.
