Hanoi (VNA) - The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened on June 24 to provide feedback on the revised draft of the amended Law on Railways.
Following revisions, the draft law has been streamlined from 10 chapters and 87 articles to four chapters and 59 articles.
Speaking at the session, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the urgency of the amended railway law, noting the country is currently implementing many railway development projects such as the North–South high-speed railway, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi urban rail systems, and the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong line. The goal of the amended law is to enable a breakthrough in railway development, thereby contributing to national progress. The revised law promotes strong decentralisation and delegation of authority to the Government for decision-making.
Man requested that the drafting and reviewing agencies work closely to thoroughly examine challenges and obstacles, proposing necessary adjustments to ensure the law’s effective implementation once passed.
The NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment also recommended that the Government direct the lead drafting agency to conduct a comprehensive study of special and tailored mechanisms and policies within the draft law, ensuring they meet three key criteria: feasibility, legal consistency, and effectiveness.
Also on the agenda of the June 24 session, the Standing Committee discussed expanding investment modalities for the North–South high-speed railway project. The Government proposed that the NA, in its upcoming ninth session of the 15th tenure, approve additional forms of investment for the project, including public-private partnerships (PPP) and business investment, in addition to public investment. It also suggested authorising the Government to select investment methods and investors according to regulations, and to report to the NA on any mechanisms or policies beyond current authority.
After discussion, the NA Standing Committee agreed to include new investment modalities for the project and to submit the proposal to the NA at its ninth session for consideration and decision. The Committee requested that the Government incorporate feedback from reviewing agencies and refine the proposal to ensure legal coherence and feasibility in the resolution to be presented.
Regarding planning activities and the restructuring of administrative units in the absence of the revised Planning Law, the NA Standing Committee also agreed with the Government and the Economic and Financial Committee's proposal to withdraw the draft law amending several articles of the current Planning Law from the ninth session's agenda. Instead, it will be revised comprehensively and submitted for approval at the 10th session./.
