VietNamNet Bridge – The Cat Linh - Ha Dong elevated railway in Hanoi has been connected to the national power grid for its trial operation this month, according to the railway project management board. The train has undergone a test run on each section in July before being tested on the whole system next month, a representative of the board said.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated train stretches over 13km and is expected to put into official operation in August. — VNA/VNS Photo

According to the board, all carriages and some 95 per cent of equipment have been moved to the construction site. About 79 per cent of the installation work has been completed so far.

Stairs at the stations, depot designs and water drainage systems are being completed.

The transport ministry ordered the metro line trial run to start in August, one month earlier than expected to soon put the railway into official operation.

At a meeting last month, transport minister Nguyen Van The said that the assessment of the whole metro line system must focus on supervision on its design and operation to ensure absolute safety for the trains and passengers.

The elevated railway line will stretch over 13km, linking Dong Da District’s Cat Linh Street with the Yen Nghia Bus Station in Ha Dong District. It includes 12 stations and a depot at Phu Luong Ward in Ha Dong District.

The railway will operate 13 trains with four carriages each that will run every two minutes at speeds of 35 to 80kmph.

The railway has been constructed using Official Development Assistance from China with total investment of $868 million.

The China Railway Sixth Group is the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor for the project.

Source: VNS