The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has approved a 12-month contract for a consultancy to conduct a feasibility study, technical design (FEED), and tendering for the main construction packages. The GMDI - TEDIS - PCC - ART consortium won the bid, valued at over 175 billion VND.

The consultant will update the feasibility study (including adjustments to the scope and the shift from Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the city's budget), refine the technical design, and assist in the bidding process for construction contractors. This crucial contract will significantly influence the project's timeline.

Metro Line 2 route. Graphics: Thanh Huyen

The 11-km Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line, with a total investment of nearly 47,900 billion VND, will connect the city center to the northwest gateway. Approved in 2010, the project has faced repeated delays and is now scheduled for completion in 2030.

The previous consultancy contract was suspended in 2018, halting crucial procedures such as extending existing loans, securing new loans, and tendering the main construction packages. The contract was officially terminated in 2022. After switching to public investment, MAUR initiated a new bidding process for a consultant to restart the project.

The Ben Thanh - Tham Luong line is the first to utilize specific mechanisms for urban railway development. Over the next 10 years, Ho Chi Minh City aims to build an additional 355 km of metro lines. Currently, only the nearly 20-km Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line (metro line 1) is operational, having opened in late 2024.

Giang Anh