Conference seeks to develop transport infrastructure in northwest

 

Hanoi (VNA) – The Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, the Steering Committee for Northwestern Region and the Transport Ministry held a conference in Hanoi on July 20 to discuss developing transport infrastructure in the northwest. 

Speaking at the event, head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh underscored the significance of the effort, saying that it will fuel socio-economic development and ensure national defence-security in the region and the country.

Deputy head of the Steering Committee for Northwestern Region Nguyen Canh Viet said road transportation plays the most important role in the region with 3,718 out of 6,730km of national highway being completed.

The highways connecting Hanoi with Yen Bai and Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang have been completed and put into operation while projects on the construction of Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh and Thai Nguyen – Cho Moi roads are underway.

Meanwhile, railway, waterway and aviation transportation remain limited. With a total length of nearly 700km, the railway system is yet to meet demand.

Binh agreed with nine measures and recommendations by ministries, agencies and localities to develop regional transport infrastructure between now and 2020.

Specifically, the Transport Ministry’s Party Civil Affairs Committee will work with localities to continue reviewing transport development planning and set priorities to key and urgent projects.

Binh stressed the need to accelerate the building of highways linking Hoa Lac and Hoa Binh, Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan, Bac Giang and Lang Son city in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The State Bank must direct commercial banks to offer more loans to Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh project.

The Transport Ministry must direct stepping up procedures to build routes linking northern mountainous provinces with Noi Bai – Lao Cai highway, accelerate negotiations on projects using official development assistance between now and 2020, including Lai Chau – Yen Bai, Yen Bai – Ha Giang and Lang Son – Cao Bang roads.

It was asked to direct ministries and agencies concerned to soon complete procedures to launch the construction of Lang Son city – Huu Nghi border gate highway.

The ministry was assigned to partner with the ministries of planning and investment, and finance to arrange funding for the upgrade of Dien Bien airport and consider building Lao Cai airport in BOT model.

Binh also agreed with a waterway upgrade plan, focusing on Viet Tri – Yen Bai route.

The Vietnam Railways Corporation was urged to renovate technology, improve services and effectively tap existing railways in the region.-VNA