Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong has just directed the Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) to focus on directing contractors to complete related work so that Metro Line 1 can officially operate as planned.
According to a report from MAUR, to date, Metro Line 1 project has completed 98.81% of the work volume. Major packages such as underground infrastructure, elevated infrastructure, and technical systems are all in the final stages.
Package CP1a (underground station from Ben Thanh to City Theater): 99.99% complete, currently only some technical adjustments remain regarding fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) and ventilation towers, and access and exits.
Package CP1b (underground station from City Theater to Ba Son): 99.96% completed and fire safety inspection completed; detailed items are still under inspection.
Package CP2 (elevated section and depot): 99.91% complete, pedestrian bridges expected to be completed by the end of October.
CP3 Package (electromechanical equipment, rolling stock, track and maintenance): Currently 97.34% complete and the entire line is being tested.
Package CP4 (IT system for operation and maintenance office): Equipment and interior installation work is being completed.
MAUR is also working with system safety consultants, of which 10 out of 13 contracted reports (approximately 80% of the workload) have been completed.
Although Metro Line 1 is nearly completed, there are still some items that need to be accelerated to achieve the goal of commercial exploitation by the end of the year.
From October 1 to November 30, Metro Line 1 is being tested as a commercial operation to check the system's operational capacity. This is an important basis for MAUR and consultants to make a comprehensive assessment, ensuring that it meets the requirements for safety and operational efficiency.
The safety certification work is still ongoing in coordination with MAUR and the relevant authorities. This includes technical inspections by the Railway Department, the Register and the State Inspection Department. This is a mandatory criterion for the metro line to be eligible for operation.
The fire safety review by the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department - Ministry of Public Security needs to be completed to ensure safety standards for passengers and meet legal regulations.
Metro Line 1 is also facing contract disputes and additional costs, mainly with the contractor Hitachi. Currently, this contractor is asking for an additional nearly 4,000 billion VND for additional costs.
In addition, contractor Hitachi proposed a new maintenance price, while the NJPT consultant said that the price should only be calculated according to the rate specified in the original contract.
On October 28, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board launched a 50-day and night peak competition to complete the work to officially put Metro Line 1 into operation.
Mr. Phan Cong Bang - Head of the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board - said that never before has there been such a need for effort and urgency as at this time. The emulation campaign is to proactively identify tasks according to functions and authority, focusing on solving them with the spirit of working day and night, even on holidays.
