Phan Cong Bang, head of Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), announced this on the evening of 13/7 during a site inspection. The utility relocation, which includes power, water, and telecommunications lines, is crucial for site preparation and is currently about 60% complete after over a year of work.
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Phan Cong Bang, head of Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways, inspects the utility relocation progress of metro line 2 on the evening of 13/7. Photo: Giang Anh |
Phan Cong Bang, head of Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways, inspects the utility relocation progress of metro line 2 on the evening of 13/7. Photo: Giang Anh
The relocation efforts have been taking place simultaneously at 12 locations along the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong route, including 10 stations and two open-cut sections. Contractors are first relocating and constructing water, power, and telecommunications systems within a 5-meter corridor beside the stations. Afterward, they will permanently relocate these utilities underground, ensuring compatibility with the design and landscape.
Since the metro line runs through busy streets with heavy traffic, construction is primarily conducted at night to minimize disruption. Additionally, due to the prevalence of underground utilities, MAUR is utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to detect potential conflicts between components and develop appropriate construction plans. After relocation is completed, the contractor will restore the surface area.
"However, some areas are quite complex, involving multiple management entities, requiring detailed construction plans to minimize disruption to residents' utilities," Bang said, adding that the city is also expediting other tasks for the project's December launch.
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Map of Metro Line 2. Graphics: Thanh Huyen |
Map of Metro Line 2. Graphics: Thanh Huyen
The Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line spans over 11 km, with over 9 km underground and the rest elevated, connecting the city center to the northwest gateway. This is the second metro line in Ho Chi Minh City, following the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line, which began operation in 12/2024.
Metro line 2 has a total investment of over 47,800 billion VND. While initially slated for completion in 2026, various obstacles have pushed the target to 2030. The city has also decided to shift the project's funding from ODA loans to public investment, implementing special mechanisms to accelerate progress. Land acquisition for the project is now complete.
Giang Anh
