Cost estimates skyrocket for HCMC-Can Tho railway

Cost estimates for the first Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway project has been increased to US$9.63 billion from the original $4 billion, according to the project consultant.

The 193-kilometer railway can serve high speed trains of 200 kilometers per hour, South Korean consultant company ChungSuk said. The railway route will have seven stations as it runs through the three Mekong Delta provinces of Long An, Tien Giang and Vinh Long.

The railway route is expected to cut travel time between HCMC and Can Tho City to between 30 and 45 minutes. It takes more than five years to cover the same distance at present.

Parts of the route will be elevated to avoid flooding, ChungSuk said.

Details for the increase in cost estimates for the project were not immediately available.

thanhnien, tbktsg

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