Government report highlights metro project delays

A government report has been submitted to the National Assembly after the completion date for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro project was delayed until 2026, while investment costs increased to over USD2.1bn.

A government report has been submitted to the National Assembly after the completion date for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro project was delayed until 2026, while investment costs increased to over USD2.1bn.

  

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The Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line will run through District 1, 3, 10, 12, as well as Tan Binh and Tan Phu districts. A 9.2km-long section will be underground and there will be a 2km-long elevated section. There will be nine stations and a depot.

The project was approved by the HCM City People's Committee in October 2010. At the time, the total investment cost was USD1.4bn but it increased to USD2.1bn in 2018. According to the government report sent to the National Assembly, the adjustment was made after gathering opinions from state agencies, consultants, and sponsors.

The project was supposed to be completed in 2018 but it was delayed to 2020, 2024 and then to 2026. The completion date was made based on the investment cost and adjusted designs. Works like site survey, platform design and bidding will be organised from 2011 to 2020. From 2021 to 2026 is when the construction and test run will be carried out.

HCM City authorities have been quickly carrying out ground clearance, compensation and resettlement task. They are compensating the households and receiving the lands. 18% of the households have been compensated and 9% have transferred over the lands. The task will be completed in June 2020.

The authorities have also selected consultants to organise construction bids to find the most suitable contractors. The government allows HCM City authorities to find contractors while adjusting the project.