VietNamNet Bridge – The Dong Nai Province's People's Committee has proposed to extend HCM City's first metro route Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien to 4.7 kilometres to reach the Vung Tau intersection in Bien Hoa City.

Illustrative image -- File photo

The committee has asked the Ministry of Transport to approve the proposal as Dong Nai is located near HCM City's eastern gateway and connects with provinces and cities of the north and Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region.

Dong Nai Province also has 29 industrial parks attracting a large number of labourers and experts who live in HCM City and regularly travel between the two localities. Heavy traffic density and jams are often reported.

In addition, HCM City's transport development plan by 2020-30 approved by the Prime Minister mentions the possibility of the first metro route's extension to the Sac Market crossroads in Bien Hoa City in Dong Nai, instead of the initially proposed final stop at HCM City's Suoi Tien Park in District 9.

According to Dong Nai authorities, the land fund for the construction of metro rail and station across Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park has been arranged. The area in need of site clearance is not large, making site clearance much easier.

They also said the extension of the first metro route Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien to Vung Tau intersection in Bien Hoa City should be approved to increase the metro's efficiency and resolve traffic jams near the eastern gateway of HCM City.

The HCM City Metro project is managed by the city's Management Authority for Urban Railways under the chairman of the city's People's Committee.

The project was first proposed in 2001 as part of a comprehensive public transport network plan including HCM City and neighbouring provinces, with the aim of avoiding severe traffic congestion. It includes three monorail lines with a total length of 37km and six underground metro routes of 107km in total length, including the routes Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, Ben Thanh- Binh Tan, Lang Cha Ca-Van Thanh and Thu Thiem-Can Giuoc.

Under the plan, Ben Thanh will be the central station connecting the routes. Suoi Tien will be considered the point linking eastern parts of the city and neighbouring provinces.

Suoi Tien will receive around 147,000 passengers per day.

The first Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro and its underground stations located near the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market of District 1 are under construction.

VNS