The Government has decided to allocate an addition of VND200 billion (US$11 million) for a project to upgrade the North-South railway, section through central region, from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa provinces.
According to Dang Sy Manh, head of the railway management board zone 2 in Da Nang City, the Government has also extended the deadline to complete the project by the end of this year.
Earlier, the project was approved with a total capital of VND240 billion (US$13 million) and was expected to be done in 2007. However, it has run behind schedule as the railway has badly downgraded.
The project management board has prompted contractors to strength the construction progress to complete the upgrading ahead of storm and flood season this year.
The ongoing reparation and consolidation of the central track has sent train trips to frequently arrive behind schedule since the end of July as the trains are just permited to travel at five kilometers an hour across repaired sections.
The central track now features 25 damaged spots, spreading over 70 kilometers, which 20,000 cubic meters of soil have been eroded.
The lateness of train trips is only expected to fade by the end of October, Mr. Manh said.
