1:28:00 PM | 22/6/2007
Hanoi authorities have approved the first phase of a project to construct 15.2 km underground railway valued at US$1.2 billion in an effort to reduce traffic jams and accidents in the city, state media reported on Monday.
The project is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter this year and complete in 2014.
Japan will loan 85 per cent of the project cost via the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the remainder is from local sources in reciprocal capital.
The project-part of a 42 km railway route running from the Noi Bai International Airport to Ha Dong city in the neighbouring province of Ha Tay that will be built by 2020-is linking eight districts of Tay Ho, Cau Giay, Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan and Tu Liem, it said.
Once operational, the 1,435-mm-wide-railroad will allow trains to travel at 35km/h.
Under the master plan, the subway will serve 31,000 passengers/hour by 2010, said the official, adding that by 2040 on the rail route 27 trains will be operating to serve 58,000 passengers per an hour through 14 railway stations. (Vietnam & World Economy, Hanoinet)
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