PM pushes for completion of high-speed rail standards

PM Pham Minh Chinh pointed out the slow development and issuance of standards and regulations for high-speed rail despite four prior directives from the PM.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) chairs the meeting on August 30 to push forward the North – South high-speed railway and the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway projects. (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) chairs the meeting on August 30 to push forward the North – South high-speed railway and the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway projects. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Science and Technology to work with the Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies to swiftly finalise Vietnamese standards and regulations for high-speed railways by referencing and adopting international standards.

Chairing a meeting of the Government's permanent members on August 30 to push forward the North – South high-speed railway and the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway projects, PM Chinh pointed out the slow development and issuance of standards and regulations for high-speed rail despite four prior directives from the PM.

He stressed that the National Assembly’s resolutions permit a design speed of 160 km/h for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway and 350 km/h for the North – South high-speed line. Given this, he urged agencies to choose the most suitable and efficient technologies and develop corresponding standards and regulations.

The Government leader demanded agencies publicise the standards and regulations for use in the projects, as well as in attracting investment, including investments in the public-private partnership (PPP) format and other forms using legal capital sources. The standards and regulations must be finalised quickly to move forward with subsequent implementation, PM Chinh emphasised.

At the meeting, representatives from ministries and sectors reported on the progress and challenges of the projects./.

VNA

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