Work on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong rail line and a depot began in Ha Dong district, Hanoi , on Oct. 10.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong line is one of eight urban rail projects included in Hanoi ’s transport development plan by 2020 and the capital city’s master plan by 2030 with a version to 2050.

With Vietnam Railway Administration as the main investor, the project has a total investment capital of some 8,770 billion VND (roughly 552.86 million USD), of which 169 million USD (1.2 CNY) is from a Chinese preferential loan.

The 13km route connects 12 stations, starting from Cat Linh in Dong Da district to Yen Nghia in Ha Dong district. The depot area is located in Phu Luong ward in Ha Dong district.

Once operational, scheduled in June, 2015, the route which is designed for a maximum speed of 80 km per hour will play a key role in public transport, contributing to easing traffic congestion in the capital city./.