Hanoi Metro Line Scheduled for Operation by 2016

A pilot metro rail line in Hanoi, also called as Metro Hanoi project, is expected to start service by December 31, 2016. The pilot 12.5 km metro line linking Nhon, in Hanoi’s Tu Liem suburban district and the Hanoi railway station in the inner district of Hoan Kiem, includes a 8.5 km elevated section with eight stops and a 4 km underground section from Thu Le to Hanoi station.

 

The Hanoi People's Committee approved the feasibility report completed by the consulting firm Systra on April 27, 2009 and ratified the project tender plan on June 22, 2010. A depot was kicked off in Nhon on September 25, 2010. Recently, the Hanoi People's Committee approved the overall underground construction plan. Accordingly, construction work on depots is scheduled for November 2011 while work on the elevated section is to begin in February, 2012 and the underground section in November 2012. This important transport project will help reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable development of the capital city. The project has received financial support from major donors such as the French Economic, Finance and Industry Ministry, the French Development Agency, the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.

 

The first geological survey drill for the project was carried out on July 7, 2011 at Hanoi railway station under the witness of Ms Marie-Cécile Tardieu-Smith, the French Embassy’s economic counsellor and Mr Nguyen Van Khoi, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee. Ms Marie-Cécile Tardieu-Smith said soil testing before construction of the underground tunnels was aimed to define technical designs for underground line stations and tunnels of the metro line, select appropriate machines for the construction, etc as well as safe and effective construction in the future.

Mr Bechereau, Director of metro line project and representative of the French consultancy Systra, said: “We use modern machines for surveying and construction which enable us to dig the tunnel and build it immediately. Besides [our technology] minimises impacts on earth surface and does not cause noises.”

 

In 2006, Systra drilled five holes with depth from 600 metres to 1,000 metres to analyse soil. In 2008, it bored 14 holes, with one-back-one distance of 14 -15 cm. In 2011, it conducted 59 boreholes with depth from 30 metres to 57 metres and a diameter of 630 mm.

 

In 2011, all bid packages will be put up for tender. Work on construction of depots and underground parts was scheduled for November 2011 while work on the elevated section was to begin in December 2012. The construction will be closely monitored to ensure safety, technical requirements and design.

 

Remarking on project delays in recent years, Ms Marie-Cécile Tardieu-Smith said “The project delay was caused by many reasons and this has affected the project cost. Currently, concerned units are evaluating and studying additional costs and working work with Hanoi authorities on the issue. They are doing their most to reduce costs. We will also introduce technical solutions to reduce costs but still ensure project quality.” At a press conference on July 7, 2011 at the French Embassy, many people expressed their concerns over environmental issues, drainage capacity in case of heavy rain, and flooding in Hanoi but Systra representatives confirmed that all these matters had been calculated, flooding was impossible, and the surroundings met international standards.