Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has proposed VND1.9 trillion (USD81.89 million) in investment to upgrade tunnels on the Hanoi-HCM City railway route.
According to Hoang Gia Khanh, deputy general director of VNR, as many as 28 railway tunnels have deteriorated, including up to 22 on the Hanoi-HCM City route which were all built in the 1927-1935 period. These French-period tunnels pose dangers for train operations.
A tunnel on the Hanoi-HCM City railway route
The National Assembly earlier approved a VND7-trillion (USD301.72) project to upgrade the Hanoi-HCM City railway route, including the repair of five tunnels first. VNR has proposed an additional VND1.9 trillion to upgrade 18 other tunnels on the route in addition.
VNR has also recommended an investment of VND1.7 trillion (USD73.27 million) to build and upgrade 87 bridges on the Hanoi-HCM City railway route, including many built before 1975.
VNR has recently proposed an investment of VND2.4 trillion (USD102.58 million) for upgrading 41 railway stations in the 2022-2023 period.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh signed a decision approving the railway system plan for 2021-2030, which sets a target of building nine new railways with a total length of 2,362 kilometres by 2030.