Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has decided to establish a steering committee on the implementation of the North-South high-speed railway project and other key national rail routes.

The committee is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

It will be responsible for assisting the Prime Minister in studying, directing, and coordinating in dealing with important tasks relating to project implementation.

The committee will propose orientations, solutions, mechanisms, and policies to the Prime Minister on tackling difficulties and mobilizing resources to speed up construction.

The North-South high-speed railway will stretch 1,545 km in length and have a speed limit of about 320 kph.

It will pass through 20 cities and provinces between Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi and Thu Thiem Station in Ho Chi Minh City.

Total investment is estimated at about $58.71 billion.

The project is expected to get underway before 2030 and be completed before 2045, under targets set by the Politburo.

The Politburo has said it will work to approve the project by 2025 in order for construction to begin by 2030.