HCMC Metro Route Preps: Key Utilities Relocated by December

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Ho Chi Minh City is making significant strides in preparing for the construction of Metro Route No. 2, with essential utilities set to be fully relocated by December. This crucial operation marks a major step forward for the project, which has been advancing over the past year.

Phan Cong Bang, head of the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR), announced that around 60% of the relocation work has been completed. This involves moving electricity, water, and telecom lines at 12 key points along the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong route. The work encompasses 10 station sites and two open-cut sections, ensuring that the construction area is clear and ready for the next stages.

The process began with acquiring and clearing land last March. Currently, contractors are tasked with initially relocating utilities within a five-meter-wide corridor along the metro path, before ultimately placing them underground and rebuilding the systems.

Given the metro line’s passage through busy city streets, most construction activities occur at night to minimise public disruption. The 11-kilometre route will feature nine underground stations and one above ground, traversing prominent roads like Truong Chinh and Cach Mang Thang Tam, and culminating at the underground Ben Thanh station downtown.

This development follows the successful launch of HCMC's first metro line from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, which began service last December.

Despite the progress, the project faces delays. Originally slated for completion in 2026, the timeline has been pushed to 2030 due to various challenges. The project’s cost is estimated at over VND47.8 trillion (approximately 71 billion Thai Baht).

In a strategic move to avoid further setbacks, the government has approved a shift from relying on loans from the German bank KfW, opting instead for domestic funding. This decision, city officials hope, will streamline the construction process and maintain the momentum needed to complete the metro on its revised schedule.

As preparations advance, the city’s efforts reflect a significant commitment to enhancing urban mobility, promising a transformative impact on daily commutes once the metro is operational. This project signals a pivotal step in modernising Ho Chi Minh City's infrastructure, setting a precedent for future developments.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-07-16