On the morning of October 9, the investment project to build the Hanoi urban railway line No. 2 (metro No. 2), Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao section officially started construction at Xuan Dinh Depot area.
The event marked an important turning point in the development process of the capital's modern, green and sustainable public transport network.
The "Green Bloodline" of the Capital
The project to build metro line No. 2, Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao section, is an important national project, using ODA loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) combined with counterpart funds from the Hanoi City budget, symbolizing the friendship and strong cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
The route is 10.84km long, including 1.94km on the elevated and 8.9km underground, with 10 stations: C1 - Xuan Dinh, C2 - Ngoai Giao Doan, C3 - Tay Ho Tay, C4 - Buoi, C5 - Quan Ngua, C6 - Bach Thao, C7 - Ho Tay, C8 - Hang Dau, C9 - Hoan Kiem and C10 - Tran Hung Dao.
Of which, Xuan Dinh Depot has an area of 11.3 hectares, is a maintenance, repair, and training center for operation. At the same time, this Depot is developed into the first pilot TOD point in Hanoi, combining the transit area with mixed-use commercial, service, and housing, creating a new growth pole in the North of the city.
With the TOD model, each station will become a center connecting transportation, trade, tourism and culture.
In particular, the C9 - Hoan Kiem Lake underground station consists of 4 floors, directly connecting to the 3-storey underground space of the Square - East Lake Park, oriented to become a central core TOD model - intersecting underground traffic, public space and urban heritage.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan commented that metro line No. 2, Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao section will be the "green bloodline" of the capital, connecting the historical - cultural values of Thang Long - Hanoi with the dynamic life of the new era.
Mr. Tuan also requested departments, branches, and local authorities to closely coordinate with investors, and at the same time request investors and contractors to focus resources, construct urgently, safely, in accordance with regulations and progress, limiting traffic impact in the construction site area.
"The construction process will inevitably affect the traffic of routes passing through the construction area. I suggest that people in the area and traffic participants accompany and support the construction units to facilitate the progress, speed up the implementation progress, and shorten the construction time of the Investment Project.
With high political determination and a sense of responsibility, I believe the project will be completed on schedule, contributing to the realization of the sustainable development goals of the capital", Mr. Duong Duc Tuan emphasized.
Towards a modern, green and humane capital
Not only contributing to reducing congestion, improving the environment, and improving the quality of life, metro line 2 also has symbolic meaning, connecting the thousand-year-old past with the modern urban future, creating a new look for the civilized, dynamic and sustainable capital.
According to the plan, by 2030, Hanoi plans to complete 8 urban railway lines and sections, with a total length of about 130 km, including 92.24 km of overpasses, overpasses combined with land, and 37.76 km underground.
When the entire network is completed, the urban railway system will cover 25 - 30% of public passenger transport needs, equivalent to about 3 million passengers per day, contributing to reducing congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, towards the goal of green development and Vietnam's Net Zero commitment.
With the responsibility of being an investor, the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board is committed to high focus, closely coordinating with ministries, branches, cities, sponsors and contractors to ensure progress, quality, safety and efficiency of the project;
Promoting the spirit of innovation, creativity and professionalism in management and operation; determined to make urban railway line No. 2 a new symbol of modern transportation in the capital, meeting the expectations and hopes of the Party Committee, government and people of Hanoi.
"The urban railway line 2.1 plays a role in connecting the Ba Dinh political center, the core of Hoan Kiem historical center with the new development area in the North, contributing to reducing the load on the routes and connecting with the routes 1, 3 and 5 in the future.
Today's groundbreaking ceremony is the starting point for a new journey. With the determination, aspiration and support of the whole society, we believe that metro line 2 will bring a new, civilized, modern and sustainable transportation look to the thousand-year-old capital", said Mr. Nguyen Cao Minh - Head of the Hanoi Urban Railway Project Management Board.
It is known that the first package of the project to be started is CP05A - Depot Substation Handling, constructed by FECON Joint Stock Company, with a implementation period of 17.5 months.
