PM pushes for stronger coordination to fast-track key national projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 16th session of the State steering committee for national key transport projects. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on localities to strictly adhere to commitments, ensure material supplies for major infrastructure projects, and actively coordinate with seven inspection teams to resolve bottlenecks in key transport projects slated for completion in 2025.

Chairing the 16th session of the State steering committee for national key transport projects on March 9, PM Chinh acknowledged the frank and objective feedback identifying project obstacles, their causes, and proposed solutions. He directed the Government Office to work with the Ministry of Construction to compile these insights, alongside guidance from Deputy Prime Ministers and the Prime Minister, to accelerate project progress.

Praising the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, engineers, workers, and residents involved in the projects, PM Chinh highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year, with key goals such as completing 3,000 km of expressways, Long Thanh International Airport, and launching major initiatives like the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway, and the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan and the HCM City - Long Thanh expressways.

To meet these targets, he urged authorities to overcome obstacles, adhere to project timelines, and promptly put completed projects into operation to enhance investment efficiency and prevent public spending waste.

Identifying bottlenecks in investment procedures, land clearance, and capital allocation, the leader directed relevant ministries to restructure the Steering Committee and the Appraisal Council, while proposing amendments to laws on public-private partnerships, investment, and bidding during the upcoming National Assembly session.

Chinh instructed relevant ministries and localities to expedite investment preparation procedures, feasibility study evaluations, and investment adjustments for expressway projects including Tan Phu - Bao Loc, Bao Loc - Lien Khuong, HCM City - Moc Bai, Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh, HCM City Ring Road 4, and Bien Hoa - Vung Tau, all targeted for completion within this month.

He also urged swift approval of investment decisions for the Hoa Lac - Hoa Binh project and acceleration of investor selection to launch the Ninh Binh - Hai Phong expressway segment passing through Nam Dinh and Thai Binh provinces, along with the Hanoi Ring Road 4 component project 3.

The 16th session of the State steering committee for national key transport projects on March 9. (Photo: VNA)

On land clearance, the PM emphasised that localities must take responsibility and engage their political systems to meet commitments. He tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with guiding localities on implementing Article 103 of the 2024 Land Law regarding crop and livestock compensation, to be completed this month. Unresolved issues beyond local authority must be reported for higher-level review.

Regarding project funding, PM Chinh instructed localities to review and propose capital adjustments to ensure full funding for 2025 completion goals. The Ministry of Finance was urged to promptly allocate surplus revenue and 2023 savings and report on the distribution of 2024 savings. For public-private partnership (PPP) projects, the PM called for optimal implementation methods, with the government contributing at least 50% of the funding.

To ensure ample construction materials, particularly for Mekong Delta projects, he directed provinces such as Tien Giang, Ben Tre, An Giang, Kien Giang, and Dong Nai to follow strict guidelines for material exploitation, prioritising projects set for 2025 completion. He warned localities with material mines to adhere to commitments and ensure transparency, preventing corruption in licensing.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was also tasked with reviewing legal regulations and proposing amendments to address obstacles, while guiding localities on compliance. Emphasising that mineral resources and material mines are state assets, Chinh stressed the need to allocate these resources directly to national projects, ensuring benefits are shared between the state, citizens, and enterprises.

He noted the establishment of seven inspection teams to review and address obstacles in transport projects scheduled for completion by 2025, urging relevant authorities to cooperate proactively during these inspections.

On the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project, PM Chinh instructed the Ministry of Construction and relevant localities to expedite land clearance, route determination, and related processes such as financing, contractor selection, material supply, equipment procurement, workforce training, and technology transfer.

Regarding Long Thanh International Airport and its infrastructure connections, he instructed ministries and localities to urgently implement assigned tasks. He approved allowing businesses to study a metro line linking HCM City to the airport, ensuring principles of "harmonised benefits and shared risks," while preventing corruption.

Currently, 28 expressway projects covering approximately 1,188 km are under construction nationwide, expected to reach the 3,000 km target by 2025. Additionally, numerous road projects are in feasibility study, design, or construction phases. Key projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and the Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway are advancing on schedule./.