PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the construction site of Ben Thanh Station. (Photo: VGP)
During his tour, the government leader visited Ben Thanh Station, the Opera House Station and an underground section of the 19.7-kilometre rail line.
Speaking with officers and workers at the construction site, PM Phuc praised the efforts of the Ho Chi Minh City authorities and parties concerned in ensuring the progress, quality and safety of the project.
He stated that the government has allowed HCMC to adjust the total construction costs so that the city can be proactive in carrying out the project.
The PM emphasised that the central government and HCMC will ensure adequate funding so that the line will be completed as planned.
Approval is being sought from central authorities for the city to adjust up investment capital for the project, Phuc added.
PM Phuc expressed his pleasure after the tour and hailed the strong determination of the city government, the project’s management board, and the other parties involved in facilitating the big-ticket project in line with safety and quality requirements.
The Japanese-funded project reflects the fine bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Japan, he added.
The cost of the project has been revised up to more than VND47.3 trillion from the original VND17.4 trillion. Given this huge amount of capital required for the project, the city is required to secure approval from central agencies for the capital revision.
Currently nearly 2,000 workers are working at the construction site and thus far more than 63% of the work has been completed. The line is scheduled to commence services in 2021.
The Line 1 trains will run 17.1 kilometres on elevated tracks and 2.6 kilometres underground through a total of 14 stations, including three situated underground.
Earlier, at a Metro Line No. 1 station at Ben Thanh Market, Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) of HCMC, showed PM Phuc an overview of 11 urban railway projects in the city, including eight metro lines, with a total length of 220 kilometers and investment capital of US$25 billion.
