A stretch of Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway runs through northern mountainous Lao Cai Province. About 1.2 billion passengers are expected to be carried annually under the transport development plan in northern economic zone by 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

HANOI (Biz Hub) — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved adjustments to a transport system development plan in the northern economic zone by 2020 and schedule for 2030 with a total goods consignment of between 500 and 550 million tonnes and 1.2 billion passengers carried annually.

The announcement last Friday included a target to reach annual growth of 10 and 11 per cent for the whole transport sector in the region.

Between 115 and 160 million tonnes of goods are expected to be transported through sea ports in the North, according to the plan.

Public transportation is expected to grow between 20-25 per cent in Ha Noi and 5-10 per cent in Hai Phong.

The adjusted plan also set a target to complete the upgrade of the North-South railway system, the Yen Vien-Pha Lai-Ha Long-Cai Lan rail route and those through the capital city of Ha Noi.

The railway system plan aimed to connect with seaports, mining zones, key economic industrial parks and tourism areas in the North.

The plan includes a focus on developing six major transportation corridors including the North-South, Ha Noi-Hai Phong, Ha Noi-Quang Ninh, Ha Noi-Lao Cai, Ha Noi-Lang Son and Ninh Binh-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh.

Road transportation is expected to make up about 85 per cent while rail and air services is expected to reach about 6.2 and 9.2 per cent respectively.

The North-South railway system in particular, with a total of 33km through the North, is aimed to be upgraded for trains running at an average speed of 80-90km/hour while carrying passengers, and 50-60km/hour when carrying goods.

New rail routes to be built after 2020 include 120km Nam Dinh-Thai Binh-Hai Phong- Quang Ninh and 150km Ha Long-Mui Chua- Mong Cai.

The plan includes the completion of new metro lines in Ha Noi including Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Ha Noi Railway Station. —VNS