25 major transport projects in 2001
Ha Noi, March 24 (VNA) -- The Transport and Communication Ministry plans to start 25 major transport projects this year at an estimated cost of VND 8,512 billion, USD 608 million.
Almost all the work will be in northern-mountainous, Central Highlands, central-coastal and Mekong Delta provinces.
This year's schedule is within the Ministry's programme to build 160 transport and communication infrastructure facilities at a cost of VND 63,000 billion, USD 4,500 million between 2001-2005.
But the State budget allocations will ensure only VND 40,000 billion, so more investment capital from other sources will have to be mobilised by the ministry.
The ministry has proposed many measures including the Build-Operate-Transfer, BOT, formula for the first phase of the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho expressway and the Noi Bai-Ha Long expressway; and Build-Transfer, BT, formula for the first phase of the Ha Noi corridor project; and the issuance of treasury bonds for Highway No 6.
The ministry will also this year accelerate construction of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, Hai Van Tunnel, Cai Lan Port, section from Vinh to Nha Trang on national highway No 1, and Highways 10 and 18.-VNA
