Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Transport is set to build a ground-breaking policy on infrastructure investment, aimed at accelerating the implementation of key transport projects in 2023.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang inspects the construction of the Mai Son-National Highway 45 section. (Photo: Viet Hung/Vietnam+) With the unwavering support and direction from the Party and State, the tireless efforts, dynamism, and creativity of localities, and the close coordination with other ministries and branches, the Ministry of Transport is confident that the transport infrastructure system will see significant improvements in 2023.
The expected changes of infrastructure system will surely contribute to the country’s rapid and sustainable socio-economic recovery and development, propelling it towards a brighter future.
Progress and quality ensured at many projects
According to a representative of the Ministry of Transport, last year, the ministry initiated 18 projects and successfully completed and exploited 22 ones. Notably, the Cao Bo-Mai Son section (15.2 km) and Cam Lo-La Son section (98.3 km) will soon be put into operation.
Additionally, three sections of the North-South expressway have undergone technical traffic clearance from 2017-2020 (Mai Son-National Highway 45, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet-Dau Giay). On the first day of January, 2023, the ministry will commence work on 12 components of the North-South expressway of the 2021-2025 period.
Contractors participating in the North-South Expressway project, who do not meet the progress schedule, will be transferred or have work volume cut off. (Photo: Viet Hung/Vietnam+) So far, the ministry has disbursed nearly 48 trillion VND (over 2 billion USD), equivalent to 87 percent of the additional plan. The ministry aims to disburse 97 percent of the State budget allocated by the Prime Minister by the end of January 2023.
The ministry strives to fully disburse the allocated capital under the plan for this year, amounting to over 94 trillion VND, which is 1.7 times higher than the plan for 2022. This is considered a significant challenge for the transport industry.
Quality must be top priority
According to Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, the transport sector will accelerate the progress of several critical national and inter-regional transport infrastructure projects in 2023.
The focus will be sharpened on completing procedures to start construction projects such as Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau, and completing the entire Ho Chi Minh route. Additionally, the sector aims to complete eight component projects of the North-South Expressway, including Mai Son-National Highway 45 section, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet, Phan Thiet-Dau Giay, National Highway 45-Nghi Son, Nghi Son-Dien Chau, Nha Trang-Cam Lam, My Bridge Thuan 2, and My Thuan-Can Tho.
The Ministry of Transport has set its sights on not only maximizing the utilisation of current railway lines but also completing the renovation of the Hanoi-Vinh-Nha Trang section.
The ministry plans to initiate four projects on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City railway line promptly, as well as proactively prepares and calls for investments in railway lines that connect international seaports, international border gates, and the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh and Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho light railways.
Part of the North-South Expressway project in the east under construction. (Photo: Viet Hung/Vietnam+) The Ministry of Transport has outlined several initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of coastal shipping corridors and waterways connecting seaports. They include completing investment projects on Cho Gao canal and Song Hau channel, as well as mobilising resources to invest in harbors of seaports with high development potential.
Additionally, the ministry plans to upgrade and renovate existing airports while improving their operational efficiency. It will also study, invest in, build, and put into operation dual-used airports.
To further support transportation and trade, the ministry is committed to synchronously developing the logistics system in conjunction with seaports, airports, international border gates, and key economic corridors./.
