Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro project

The project’s total investment has been adjusted to VND43.75 trillion (USD1.9 billion) from VND17.38 trillion because of being delayed for several times.

The Management Authority for Urban Railways said that 17 trains will be operated on the route.

Japanese contractor Hitachi is producing the trains for the project which are expected to be imported into HCM City in March this year.

The first trial operation will be conducted in June for the section from HCM City’s District 9 to Di An Town in Binh Duong Province. The second pilot run will be in September.

The official operation of the metro line is scheduled in 2021.

Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said that biggest difficulties for the project have been solved and work on remaining facilities are being hastened.

The 20-km Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line which had an initial investment capital of VND17.38 trillion was passed in 2009 by the prime minister. At that time, the project did not belong to the list approved by the National Assembly. However, after that, its investment capital was raised to VND47.32 trillion, so it had to seek the National Assembly’s consideration. It was among the main reasons for the slow pace.

The project also faced capital shortages and the HCM City People’s Committee had to advance the capital to pay contractors.