Bundestag Approves Funding For Subsidy Of Vietnam's Metro Rail Project

November 22, 2007 9:24 a.m. EST

Berlin, Germany (AHN) - The Bundestag, Germany's Parliament, approved Thursday a $126 million (85 million euro) low interest subsidy to Vietnam to be used for the construction of a metro rail system in its capital city. Vietnam's request to the Budget Committee was made in 2002.

The transport project aims to put in place 79.5 miles (128 kilometers) of rail linking Di An to Binh Phuoc on the border of Vietnam and Cambodia. It will have 12 stations.

Consultancy services for the project will be provided by Japan Transportation Consultants, the Pacific Consultants International Group and the Japan Railway Technical Services. Aside from construction of two railway bridges and a station at Ninh Binh and the purchase of 23 track machines, the rail project will also improve bridge and railway safety along the route spanning the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City main line and refurbish 44 bridges and 23.4 miles (37.6 km) of existing railways.

It is expected to be completed in 2010.

Members of three German political parties lauded the Vietnam grant since it will contribute significantly to the country's development.