PM approves plan to close illegal level crossings

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Tuesday approved the Việt Nam Railway Corporation (VNR)’s plan to close illegal level crossings in crowded residential areas by the end of this year. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Tuesday approved the Việt Nam Railway Corporation (VNR)’s plan to close illegal level crossings in crowded residential areas by the end of this year.

The plan includes building fences, crossroads, flyovers and tunnels to eliminate illegal crossings.

Relevant agencies should review legal documents on the protection of railway construction and railroad safety corridors, supervise shortcomings during the implementation of the plan, and propose adjustments to ensure consistency with the Railway Law and other relevant legal documents.

It also calls for improvements to laws regarding railway traffic safety.

The plan aims to raise awareness about the importance of railway safety.

In Việt Nam, 70 per cent of all rail-related accidents are caused by illegal crossings.

Previously, the VNR had submitted to the Ministry of Transport a proposal to use State budget funding to close all illegal level crossings by 2025. In the proposal, the VNR said it needed VNĐ2.5 trillion (US$108 million) to implement the plan.

Roads and fences were a key factor to ensuring safety, according to the VNR.

VNR’s latest statistics reported there were 5,719 crossings across the country, of which 4,058 were illegal. — VNS