Ho Chi Minh City’s much-anticipated Metro Line 1, connecting Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien, is facing additional delays, with trial runs potentially postponed to November 2024. The project, which has been under construction for over a decade, is now more than 98% complete. However, disputes with the Japanese contractor Hitachi over progress timelines and additional cost demands have hindered final testing phases.
The delays have been attributed to challenges in coordinating training plans and technical issues within the CP3 package managed by Hitachi. The contractor has requested compensation for costs incurred due to the extended completion period, totaling approximately 23.721 billion Yen. In response, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) has sought intervention from the Japanese Embassy to encourage adherence to project deadlines and collaboration on interim solutions.
The prolonged delays have caused frustration among city residents and raised concerns about the efficiency of large-scale infrastructure projects. Once operational, Metro Line 1 is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion and contribute to the city’s economic development.
