Ho Chi Minh City has one of the highest population densities in the world but has no metro yet.

(Dan Tri) - The leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport said that the development of specific mechanisms and policies to develop the urban railway system according to Conclusion 49 of the Politburo is very important for Ho Chi Minh City.

As one of the 18 most densely populated cities in the world, Ho Chi Minh City is currently the only city without a metro system. This information was presented by Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, in the project to develop Ho Chi Minh City's urban railway by 2030, with a vision to 2045, at the 17th session of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, term X, on July 15. The project aims to complete 183km of urban railway by 2035 with 6 routes and 148 stations. By 2045, the total length of the system will reach 351km and by 2060, it will be 510km.

Mr. Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, presented the project to develop the Ho Chi Minh City urban railway system at the meeting (Photo: Quang Huy).

Mr. Tran Quang Lam said that the development of specific mechanisms and policies to develop the urban railway system according to Conclusion 49 of the Politburo is very important. Up to now, Ho Chi Minh City has basically completed the draft project, submitted it for comments from ministries and branches and reported to the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Executive Committee. According to Mr. Lam, the project focuses on proposing 6 groups of specific and breakthrough mechanisms and policies, such as the policies of Resolution 98 on implementing Ring Road 3, the national expressway system... "With the current regulations and the current implementation methods, it is impossible to meet the progress of infrastructure construction for a city with a high population density like Ho Chi Minh City," Mr. Lam emphasized. Regarding the source of capital for implementation, Mr. Lam said that the transport sector has identified the main source of capital from the State budget, ODA capital will be used for a number of items.

Metro train No. 1 at Long Binh depot (Photo: Thu Tran).

The implementation of this project mainly relies on domestic resources, promoting the domestic contractor team, along with the participation of consultants and supervision of international experts and consultants. Regarding railway technology, the Ministry of Transport is taking the lead in developing this project, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will attach to this project for implementation. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate to select appropriate technology based on the criteria of being proactive, not being dependent. The Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport said that the project is currently being compiled to report to the Government this month, then ask for the Politburo's opinion and strive to submit to the National Assembly by the end of the year. If approved, in the 2026-2027 period, Ho Chi Minh City will carry out investment preparation procedures. In the 2027-2028 period, construction will start on 6 routes simultaneously, striving to complete 183km (6 routes) in 9 years. Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/tphcm-co-mat-do-dan-so-thuoc-nhom-cao-nhat-the-gioi-nhung-chua-co-metro-20240715140705173.htm