Hanoi (VNA) - The railway network connecting economichubs and seaports needs to be designed as the key arteries of the economy,Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said at a meeting with the Ministry of Transportand relevant departments on March 2.

The discussion focused on the planning, policies, solutions andresources to implement the railway and seaport planning for the 2021-2030period, with a vision to 2050.

A report by the Ministry of Transport said that the goal is thatby 2030, the network of seaports in Vietnam can handle up to 1.4 trillion tonnesof goods and 10.3 million passengers. 

Around 33,600ha of land and 606,000ha of water surface areexpected to be used to develop this network. The demand for investment by 2030is about 313 trillion VND (13.2 billion USD).

This funding is expected to be mobilised from the private sector,among other sources. The State budget capital is focused on public maritimeinfrastructure and key economic areas. 

Ha also proposed an overall review of the general, specialised andinland waterway ports for renovation, utilising the transportation potential ofthe dense river network across the country. 

He added: “The railway network planning must not only stop atrenovating and repairing, but follow a modern, comprehensive direction torespond to the development demands in the future.”

The roadmap also needs to be supported by in-depth studies forsynchronised implementation of detailed plans. 

Suggesting selecting one railway route to focus on, the Deputy PMasked the Ministry of Transport to work closely with the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment for land use at intersections and stations.

He also asked the transport ministry to focus on several keyrailway and seaports projects in the 2023-2025 plan, while carefully reviewingand estimating investment resources, economic efficiency and the role of theState in the projects to be deployed in the following phase.

The railway network investment and development projects to 2023are expected to make breakthroughs on the main routes of great demand,utilising its strengths in transporting a large volume of goods and passengersthrough medium and long distances. 

The total demand for capital for the railway network by 2030 isestimated at about 240 trillion VND (10.1 billion USD), using the State budgetas well as other sources. 

After the master plans for the railway and seaport networks areapproved by the Prime Minister, the transport ministry will actively implementthe project, conducting evaluation after the first year, completing regulationsand detailed plans, and allocating capital sources for the medium-term./.