Saigon Metro Lines Face Delays, Cost Overruns

While work on Saigon’s metro line No. 1 chugs along, two of its brothers, metro lines numbers 2 and 5, are facing a slew of delays and cost overruns.

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Metro line No. 2 is in a particularly precarious position as city authorities recently announced that the project’s cost had increased from US$1.3 billion to US$2 billion after a revised estimate, reports Thanh Nien.

Fortunately, it looks like the Asian Development Bank, German government-owned development bank KFW and the European Investment Bank have agreed to provide loans to cover the additional costs.

The city added that the line “is falling behind schedule” though it did not provide a revised completion date.

Metro line No. 2 is one of six planned for Saigon and will run 11.3km, mostly underground, from Ben Thanh Market to District 9.

Metro line No. 2's route.

According to Vietnam News, line No. 5 has run into problems after city planning officials apparently provided incorrect route information to Phu Nhuan District authorities who have granted a number of licenses for buildings that would block its path.

Nguyen Huu Tin, vice chairman of the city’s People's Committee, has ordered the Management Authority for Urban Railways to “determine changes to the route, though limiting construction in residential areas to avoid the need for land acquisition which could slow down progress.”

It seems that with each passing day, the dream of a comprehensive metro system in Saigon drifts a bit further away.