Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai has urged HCM City municipal authorities and relevant agencies to speed up progress on the city's first metro project so that it can be completed by the end of 2018.

 Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visits construction sites

On August 6, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai visited the construction sites on the route that connects Ben Thanh Market and Suoi Tien Park. A representative of the Shimizu – Maeda joint venture said that terminals will be built 40 metres underground so as to ensure construction does not affect existing structures.

"Because the terminal lies underneath large structures, the drilling is difficult," said a representative of the construction unit.

The Deputy Prime Minister showed was not pleased upon finding out that the 17-km route in District 2 would take 54 months to be completed. However, representatives of the contractors explained that the process was slow because its construction and design were taking place at the same time.

Meanwhile, leaders of Binh Duong District said they were handing over land to contractors to build the terminal at Suoi Tien Park. Hai ordered the municipal authorities to complete all procedures by October. "Slow land transfers will adversely affect progress on the project," he said.

Hai went on to say that this first metro project in Vietnam will play an important role in the country's industrial development. He highlighted the need for designs that can withstand earthquakes and the effects of climate change.