Politburo: North-South high-speed railway project highly necessary

The conclusion was reached at the Politburo meeting held on September 18 to deliberate on the investment policy for this project.

The project aims to meet the growing transportation demand, contributing to realization of the Party's guidelines and orientations for transportation infrastructure investment outlined in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

The project will contribute to fostering inter-regional connectivity and opening up new economic development spacses, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

It will also help reduce traffic accidents and environmental pollution while ensuring national defense and security.

Given the significant importance of the project, the Politburo agreed to seek the Party Central Committee's approval of the investment policy for the project before the Government submits it to the National Assembly at its upcoming 8th working session.

The Ministry of Transport has put forward three investment scenarios for the North-South high-speed railway project.

Scenario 1 involves building a new double-track railway with a gauge of 1,435mm, a speed of 350kph, exclusively for passenger trains, and upgrading the existing North-South railway line for freight transport. The total investment for the project is US$67.32 billion.

Scenario 2 involves construction of a new double-track railway with a gauge of 1,435mm, a speed of 250kph, combining both freight and passenger trains. The total investment for the project is US$72.02 billion.

Scenario 3 suggests building a new double-track railway with a gauge of 1,435mm, a speed of 350kph, focusing on passenger trains and having provision for freight transport when needed. The existing railway line would be upgraded to specialise in freight and short-distance passenger transport. The total investment for the project is $68.98 billion. The amount will be around US$72 billion, including upgrading the existing North-South railway line to the freight train.

The Ministry of Transport has preferred Scenario 3./.