On the evening of March 29, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Head of the Steering Committee for key projects and important national projects in the railway sector, chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee.
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister emphasized that we are determined to build a railway industry, master technology, produce carriages and locomotives, and develop a railway industrial ecosystem.
Taking time, intelligence and being decisive at the right time are decisive factors for success. This is also an opportunity for our country and people to have more motivation and inspiration to rise up and develop.
Directing solutions, the Prime Minister requested the formation and establishment of large corporations, including private corporations, related to the railway industry. If they exceed their authority, they should report to competent authorities for decision and amendment of relevant regulations.
Next is the solution to mobilize and diversify resources, including state capital, loans, issuance of construction bonds, public-private partnerships, TOD exploitation, etc., while strictly managing to avoid loss and waste.
Assigning a number of tasks, the Prime Minister requested to focus on removing difficulties and speeding up the progress of projects, especially in site clearance in the direction of separating into separate projects. When there is a route, localities are assigned to clear the site, calling for investment in stations, first of all the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong project.
Resolutely handle cases of delay and lack of responsibility, while promptly commend collectives and individuals who have excellently completed their tasks and encouraged innovation.
The Ministry of Construction has developed a Decree stipulating the criteria for selecting organizations and state-owned enterprises assigned tasks or Vietnamese organizations and enterprises allowed to order the supply of railway industrial services and goods.
The Ministry of Construction shall develop a decision of the Prime Minister regulating the list of railway industrial services and goods assigned to state-owned enterprises or ordered from Vietnamese enterprises.
Regarding specific projects, for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project, the Ministry of Finance urgently submitted to the Prime Minister to establish a State Appraisal Council. The Prime Minister agreed to start the construction of the new Lao Cai station infrastructure package and start the project's resettlement areas in 2025.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, based on the project's pre-feasibility study report, will work with the Chinese side to negotiate the Agreement. At the same time, promote the Hanoi - Lang Son and Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai railway projects.
For the North-South high-speed railway project, the Prime Minister requested to try to start construction in December 2026.
The Ministry of Justice has opinions on the application according to shortened procedures and order in the development and promulgation of the Decree on overall design in early April 2025; at the same time, ministries and branches promptly give opinions after the Ministry of Construction asks for opinions on the draft decree.
For the urban railway projects of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister requested the People's Committees of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to review the implementation of urban railway projects in the locality.
The Ministry of Finance soon gave its opinion on stopping the use of ODA capital and foreign preferential loans for the project and adjusting capital for the Ho Chi Minh City urban railway project, line 2, Ben Thanh - Tham Luong section.
