Capital announces final plan for first metro-line

Ha Noi’s Department of Planning and Architecture announced the final plans for its first urban rail system on Wednesday.

Under the plans, the municipal People’s Committee has approved the blueprints for a metro line proposed by Systra Company, which include an 8.5km overground section and a 4km underground section.

Ha Noi’s first metro line will run overground from Nhon in the suburban district of Tu Liem to Kim Ma Street in Cau Giay District, then underground to Ha Noi Railway Station at the end of Tran Hung Dao Street.

Eight overground metro stations will be located in Nhon Town, Minh Khai Commune, Phu Dien Commune, Cau Dien Town, Le Duc Tho Street, Ha Noi National University, Chua Ha (Ha Pagoda) Street and Cau Giay crossroads.

Four underground stations in the city centre will be located at Kim Ma Street, Cat Linh Street, the Temple of Literature and Ha Noi Railway Station.

Deputy director of the project management board Hoang Ngoc Minh said land clearance would begin immediately.

Construction of the first section of the 12.5km metro line started last September in celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi.

The US$1.12 billion project is expected to improve transport in the city when it goes into operation in 2016.

The line has been designed to serve 8,600 passengers per hour in each direction. —VNS

Tags: Vietnam Infrastructure