First Vietnamese metro, speed up to complete

(Engineering Daily) Nguyen Anh Duong = Ho Chi Minh City authorities are seeking approval for an advance sum of nearly $100 million from the government budget to pay foreign contractors, thus making the progress to put Vietnam's first metro line into technical operation by the end of next year.

The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien route is being implemented through official development assistance. As per the mid- and long-term investment capital plan towards 2020, the project was arranged a fund of $326 million. In 2016 and 2017, $117.8 million was disbursed. However, $208 million was not disbursed for 2018 and 2019 due to the adjustment of the total investment capital.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked related government agencies to consider the city authorities'proposal and submit solutions to the government.

So far, three packages are undergoing work. 56.7% of Ben Thanh Station and half of an underground tunnel in Le Loi street has been completed, and is estimated to be 80% finished within the year. Elsewhere, the underground station from the Opera House to Ba Son Station is 72% complete and is expected to reach 88 per cent completion within the year.