On March 5, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies worked with the working delegation of China Railway Authority 2 on the project to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham railway line; upgrade and expand Lien Khuong international airport.
Mr. Tran Hong Thai - Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee - said that the project to restore the Da Lat (Lam Dong) - Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan) railway line is in accordance with the province's planning and is very necessary.
For Lien Khuong International Airport, the locality has a plan to expand and upgrade to meet the travel needs of people and tourists.
Therefore, Lam Dong province welcomed the Chinese Railway Authority 2 for its interest in the projects. At the meeting, Mr. Quan Hoa Binh - representative of China Railway Authority 2 - introduced many projects that this unit has implemented in a number of countries around the world.
According to Mr. Quan Hoa Binh, the unit is ready to cooperate with the People's Committee of Lam Dong province to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham railway.
Mr. Quan Hoa Binh also expressed his interest in implementing the project to upgrade and expand Lien Khuong International Airport and eco-tourism projects in Lam Dong.
"We hope Lam Dong will inform us about the planning related to the railway line and airports in the locality. After that, we will make a feasibility study report as well as the next steps to have a project implementation plan," said Mr. Quan Hoa Binh, representative of China Railway Authority 2.
According to Mr. Tran Hong Thai, Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, this working session between the two sides is a meeting and exchange on policy. After the meeting, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee will assign the provincial authorities to work with China Railway Department 2 on the project according to regulations.
The Da Lat - Thap Cham railway was built by the French in the period of 190 - 1932. The route is 84km long. Of which, 16km of railway is on the saw to let ships climb mountain slopes.
The Da Lat - Thap Cham railway stopped operation in 1968 and was restarted in 1975 but only ran 7 trips before completely stopping. By 1986, all rails and sleepers on this route were removed.
In 2015, the Prime Minister issued a decision approving the adjustment of the master plan for the development of Vietnam's railway transport to 2020, with a vision to 2030.
In which, there is a policy to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham saw railway line. Currently, the railway line is only operating to serve tourism at Da Lat - Trai Mat station (Da Lat city) with a total length of 7km.
