Authorities in northern Lao Cai province have proposed the Ministry of Planning and Investment accelerate projects in infrastructure development to turn the province into a growth pole and trade connection point.

Secretary of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee Dang Xuan Phong made the proposal to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, who led a delegation to examine certain key projects in the province on April 12.

He asked him to propose that the government facilitate the implementation of major transport projects to boost regional connectivity, including upgrading the 83-km Yen Bai - Lao Cai section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway from two lanes to four lanes by 2023 and then to six lanes by 2030, and studying a project upgrading the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line from 1,000-mm gauge to 1,435-mm gauge.

Mr. Phong also proposed support from the central budget for a project building a road connecting Sapa Airport with the Lao Cai border gate economic zone and localities in the Red River Delta.