Why does the North-South high-speed railway go "around" Nam Dinh?

The North-South high-speed railway is being studied to "detour" through Nam Dinh, connecting the Red River Delta region and the northern coastal provinces.

In line with local planning, with new development potential The Government has just submitted to the National Assembly the investment policy dossier for the high-speed railway project on the North-South axis. According to the project's Pre-Feasibility Study Report (NCTKT Report), the project will build a new high-speed railway line 1,541km long, double-track, 1,435mm gauge, design speed 350 km/h, load capacity 22.5 tons/axle. One of the issues that the public is very interested in is that this railway line will pass through Nam Dinh province. The station is located near the center of Nam Dinh city. Many opinions say that such a route is a "circle", affecting investment costs as well as operating costs. At the same time, it does not meet the direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to "ensure the straightest possible route".

North-South high-speed railway route through Nam Dinh province according to NCTKT report.

Specifically, according to the NCTKT report, Phu Ly station is located in Liem Tuyen commune and Liem Tiet commune, Phu Ly city, near the Liem Tuyen intersection, east of the expressway. From Phu Ly station, the route basically follows the current railway and National Highway 21 towards Nam Dinh city. Nam Dinh station is located in My Hung commune, My Loc district (near Dang Xa railway station). After Nam Dinh station, the route goes towards Ninh Binh, crossing the Day river in the area east of Khanh Phu industrial park (Ninh Binh city). In Nam Dinh, a station will be located in Vinh Hao commune, Vu Ban district, used to consolidate maintenance equipment (compacting machines, road chopping machines, ballast air conditioners, etc.) and store supplies and materials for the Nam Dinh - Ninh Binh section. A representative of the Railway Project Management Board said that the studied route must ensure the following factors: Depend on the national, regional, provincial and specialized sector planning related to the project; meet the requirements on control points; ensure the shortest route length between control points, meeting the technical requirements of the route. On the other hand, it must be suitable for the terrain conditions of the area; limit going through sensitive areas of the natural environment, social environment, relic sites, scenic spots... At the same time, limit the volume of land clearance, avoid densely populated areas, minimize the impact on existing works. Regarding the location of the high-speed railway station, the study was determined based on the following basic principles: Suitable for current conditions, local development planning; access to the urban center area, planning areas with new development potential; have the ability to connect well with the public transport system, other transport and effectively exploit infrastructure and means. "Thus, the station is an important control point on the high-speed railway line. Between the stations, the route is studied to meet the technical requirements corresponding to the design speed level", said a representative of the Railway Project Management Board. Connecting the North-South corridor with the Red River Delta region Regarding the high-speed railway route through Nam Dinh province, the consultant said that because the station is located to the East of the North-South axis, the route through Nam Dinh area will be difficult to meet the "straightest possible" criteria.

High-speed rail train (photo: illustration).

However, the location of Nam Dinh station has been studied to ensure it is consistent with national sector planning, regional planning and provincial planning; meeting the economic and technical requirements of the route. The route plan has also been supported by international consultants to analyze, evaluate and reach agreement with localities, in which Nam Dinh province has agreed on the route plan. Regarding connection, gathering and clearing passengers, according to the consultant, in addition to serving the transportation needs of Nam Dinh province, the high-speed railway also serves the whole region including Thai Binh province, a part of the southeast of Hai Duong and Hung Yen with a population of about 4 million people. "If the route does not go through Nam Dinh province, it will not be effective in connection and will not be consistent with the approved plans," the consultant affirmed. Talking to Giao thong Newspaper, an officer working on railway planning said that the high-speed railway route "circling" through Nam Dinh will be effective in terms of transportation. Nam Dinh is an area with a growing textile industry, dense population, and high travel demand. Moreover, Nam Dinh will be conveniently connected to railway lines. In addition to the existing railway line, in the future it will be connected to the Nam Dinh - Thai Binh - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh coastal railway line. The railway network planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, has oriented to invest in this 1,435mm gauge line after 2030. At that time, these northern coastal provinces will be connected to the North - South high-speed railway, increasing the efficiency of transport exploitation. Explaining further, a representative of the Railway Project Management Board said that Nam Dinh station, in addition to its central role in Nam Dinh province, is also a connection point to a number of neighboring localities in the Red River Delta region such as Thai Binh, Hung Yen... with a population of millions of people. Therefore, Nam Dinh station on the current railway line plays an important role in connecting the North-South corridor with the Red River Delta region. In the process of researching and updating the high-speed railway route, the Ministry of Transport has coordinated closely with localities along the route. The results of the recent review have optimized the route, reducing the total length of the route by about 4km. This route has been reported to competent authorities, updated by localities in the provincial planning that the Ministry of Planning and Investment has appraised and approved, and the Prime Minister has approved. Thus, the route has been carefully studied in the "straightest possible" way. "In case of adjusting the route, it will not meet the requirements for conformity with the planning and the criteria for station locations and route directions. However, in the next implementation phase, based on detailed survey data, the route will continue to be reviewed and locally adjusted if necessary," said the Railway Project Management Board.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/vi-sao-duong-sat-toc-do-cao-bac-nam-di-vong-qua-nam-dinh-192241022141658046.htm