HCM City (VNS/VNA) -HCM City plans to launch a trial run of the first metro line sectionbetween Binh Thai intersection and Long Binh Depot in District 9 in thethird quarter of this year.

The completion rate of the entire line, which runs between Ben ThanhMarket in District 1 and Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9, hasreached 71 percent.

The elevated track is being laid on concrete pylons that have been installed.

Speaking at a recent meeting, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the city People’sCommittee, said that construction on the line would be sped up this yearso it could open next year.

Huynh Hong Thanh, deputy head of the HCM City Management Authority for UrbanRailways, said that two trains would be imported in the middle ofthe year.

The HCM City Urban Railway Company Ltd No 1 is making preparations andits staff have gone to Japan to take part in training courseson management and operation.

Nearly 700 people for management, operation, and maintenance are needed for theline.

Construction on the second metro line between Ben Thanh Market inDistrict 1 and Tham Luong in District 12 is expected to start soonnext year and have a trial run and then open in 2026.

Its adjusted total capital isup 47.9 trillion VND (2 billion USD).

The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways is preparing bids forpackages of counselling and construction in this year.

The second line will go through districts 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh and TanPhu. The city has to remove 602 households and 28 state offices forconstruction of the line.
Tran Luu Quang, standing deputy secretary of the city Party Committee, said thatcompensation for land clearance would have to be completed by the end ofJune.  

Besides the two lines, the city is considering more metro lines, includinga line between Can Giuoc bus station in District 8 and Sai Gon bridge in BinhThanh district.

Construction on this line would be divided into two phases, including thefirst between Bay Hien Intersection in Tan Binh district to Sai Gon Bridgeand the other from Can Giuoc bus station to Bay Hien Intersection.

The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways plans to submita project on the first phase of this metro line to the People’sCommittee in April and then the National Assembly for approval./.