Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked relevant ministries and localities to take measures to remove difficulties and obstacles relating to the supply of construction materials for the Eastern North-South Expressway project (phase 2) in the 2021-2025 period, to ensure project progress and quality.

Construction of component projects began simultanuously on January 1 this year, but some contractors are facing a shortage of construction materials.

Chairmen of People’s Committees in localities the project passes through and that have construction material mines have been asked to review procedures relating to the exploitation of these mines and increase their capacity to serve the project.

Localities were directed to not insist on additional requirements, conditions, or administrative procedures in construction material exploitation, to smooth the way for contractors and investors.

The government leader instructed the Ministry of Transport to set up a taskforce, with members including leaders of relevant ministries and agencies, to work with localities to deal with difficulties and obstacles in a timely manner.

The project is 729 km in length and divided into 12 component projects operating independently in the public investment form, with total capital of nearly VND147 trillion ($6.5 billion).