Government approves master transport plan for Hanoi
Source: 12-JUL-2008 Intellasia | Saigon Times Daily page 1
Jul 12, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM The prime minister on Wednesday approved a master transport plan for Hanoi city, which requires nearly 300 trillion dong, or some US$18 billion, to realise the vision of making transport in the city modem and easy by 2020.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung in his decision approved the overall scheme to develop all urban transport modes in the capital city, including roads, railways, waterways and airways, to smoothen communication and transport from the core zone to other areas within a radius of30 to 50km.

Up to 138 trillion dong will be earmarked for the system of urban railways, and 117 trillion dong for building and upgrading roads in the city, the government website quoted the decision coded 90/2008/QD-TTg.

The system of urban railways will play the crucial role in Hanoi city's transport system, linking the core zone with satellite urban areas in the Capital Region like Ha Tay, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, and Thai Nguyen.

Under the master plan, the urban railway system by 2020 will have five main routes. These include Route No.1 stretching 38.7 kilometres to link Ngoc Hoi, Yen Vieh and Nhu Quynh, Route No.2 extending35.2 kilometres to link Noi Bai Airport and the heart of the city, and Route No.3 extending 21 kilometres from Nhon station to Hanoi Station and Hoanh Mai Area.

The fifth route will be some 34.5km, linking up southern West Lake, Ngoc Khanh, Lang and Hoa Lac, while the fourth route will be a connector of all the other four railways.

The commuter bus system will play a supporting role, helping to enhance the efficiency of the railway system, according to the decision. There will be centripetal roads for vehicular circulation with four to six traffic lanes each, alongside expressways in parallel with national highways.

The city will also spend 13.7 trillion dong developing waterways and a similar sum to upgrade airports.

Such a transport system will enable Hanoi to develop multi-modal transport and related services, according to the decision.

By 2020, it is envisioned that public transport means will meet 35% to 45% of demands while individual vehicles will be restricted. Motorcycles will meet just 30% of the total transport demand then.

The land area for developing transport facilities by 2020 will be 13,800 hectares, accounting for 15% of the total land area of the city. Roads will require 11,500 hectares while railways transport will require only 1,100 hectares.