Hanoi wants more decision-making power in obtaining ODA loans for the development of 10 urban railway projects, said Dinh Tien Dung, secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, on July 25.

A train that will operate on the Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railroad project. Photo: phapluatxahoi.kinhtedothi.vn

Speaking at a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Dung said Hanoi must be given more decision-making power over large-scale infrastructure projects.

It would be time-consuming for Hanoi to execute the 10 urban rail projects under the existing decision-making process, he said, while noting that the current process is quite fragmented.

Therefore, he urged that the municipal authorities be given more power to obtain official development assistance (ODA) for all 10 projects.

"More power will help Hanoi ensure the progress, technical standard and operation of the projects," the Hanoi Party chief said.

Urban rail construction is one of the key tasks the authorities undertake to promote the city's socio-economic growth and make it the engine of the Red River Delta and northern regions.

On July 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the capital's municipal and local authorities to soon formulate a policy to strengthen the railway sector and build more lines connecting the city with neighboring provinces in the Red River Delta region.

Hanoi has two urban rail projects, with the Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway since late 2021. Meanwhile, the Nhon-Hanoi station is under construction.

By 2050, Hanoi is expected to have 10 fully operational rail lines with a total length of 418 kilometers. Of these, five will run in urban districts, while five others will connect the city with neighboring areas.

According to Dung, railway development is one of the keys to boosting Hanoi's socio-economic growth, as stated in Politburo's Resolution No. 15 for 2022.

Hanoi will submit the revised Capital Law, the revised Master Plan for Capital Construction to 2050, and the Master Plan for Urban Planning of the Capital to 2050 to the National Assembly at its October session, he said.