Construction has begun on the Hanoi Metro Line 3 Sustainable Urban Transport Reinforcement Project, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Hanoi People's Committee.

Delegates attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the project on October 7. Photos: The Hanoi Times

The project has a total investment of US$54.75 million, with a $48.95-million loan from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), ADB, and the city’s counterpart capital of $5.8 million. It is expected to be operational before 2025.

At the opening ceremony held on October 7, Hanoi Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board Director Nguyen Chi Cuong said the project's goal is to develop a multi-modal public transport system, contributing to making Hanoi an ecological, civilized and modern city.

"We want to encourage passengers to stop using personal vehicles and switch to public transport," Cuong said.

According to Cuong, the project comprises three main components: improving access to the station, public transport solutions, and research policies and regulations.

Component 1 will focus on constructing interchanges, and technical infrastructure works to improve passenger access to Metro Line 3 stations.

Component 2 includes the replacement of the current bus fleet with low-emission buses with new technology, the use of intelligent transportation systems in buses and operational control systems, as well as the renovation of bus stops and the construction of new public parking lots.

Under Component 3, the project will seek solutions to encourage public transportation use and limit private vehicles in six districts, namely Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Bac Tu Liem and Nam Tu Liem.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan speaks at the event.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan said, "The project aims to make Hanoi an environmentally friendly city by reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

He asked the project management unit to coordinate with relevant agencies and contractors to carry out the project in the scheduled process and line with State and donor regulations.

The construction unit must ensure labor and traffic safety, as well as environmental sanitation, reducing the impact of construction on the lives of residents, he said.