Hanoi: The 140-year-old railway, considered outdated in Vietnam, will undergo the most significant infrastructure transformation in decades, as the North-South high-speed railway project will be submitted to the Politburo in March, and the National Assembly within this year. At a working session with the Ministry of Transport earlier, permanent Government members stressed that the high-speed railway must be modern, concerted and sustainable. The ministry had sketched out three scenarios, which, however, are expected to be reduced to two, offering freight services, apart from passenger transportation as the priority. Under the first scenario, the train will move at a speed of 200-250 km/h and the investment capital is estimated at around 72.02 billion USD. Meanwhile, the speed of 350 km/h and some 71.6 billion USD in investment capital are set for the second, including spending on infrastructure and equipment for freight transportation. The bullet train will depart from the Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi to Thu Thiem in Ho Chi Minh City, with its running time from 5 hours 26 minutes to 7 hours 54 minutes, depending on the number of stops. The ministry explained that cargo services are to ease the burden for other means like marine and air transportation, saying the present North-South railway will also be modernised to carry both goods and passengers. According to the ministry, permanent Government members will opine on the selection of one of the two before they are submitted to the Politburo. Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Chung, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Road Traffic Investors (VARSI), and member of the project's consulting team, expressed his support for the second, which, he said, would help materialise the country's goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and raise the rail sector's competitiveness in terms of speed. The railway project would require around 13,000 people to operate, said Dang Sy Manh, Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railways (VNR)./. Source: Vietnam News Agency Government House, The Cabinet has resolved to approve the use of the budget for fiscal year 2023 for the time being to pay for solving the problem of forest fires, smog, and reducing PM 2.5 dust. Ms. Kanika Aunjit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting (Cabinet) has resolved to approve the fiscal year 2023 budget for the time being. The central budget lists reserves for emergencies or necessary A total of 272,655,350 baht is used to pay for the project to solve forest fire and smog problems. To reduce PM 2.5 dust by community participation of the Forest Department in the amount of 109,946,650 baht and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in the amount of 162,708,700 baht as proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 'In the area of ??17 northern provinces Experiencing problems with dust particles no larger than 2.5 microns or PM2.5 exceeding air quality standards In general, the forest fires that have occurred in the country have had an impact on the people over the years. This is a problem that the government has continuously given importance to. Until it was determined that solving the problem of dust pollution was a national agenda, with 17 northern provinces It is the center of the country where a large number of people live. Including being an economic center There are sources and activities in the area that cause dust pollution problems, including forest fires and burning in agricultural areas. Cross-border smog Traffic and transport industrial plant In addition, the meteorological conditions at the beginning of the year when high air pressure spread to cover Thailand This causes the air to be closed, the wind is calm, and dust does not spread and accumulate in the area to the extent that it exceeds standards,' said the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office. Ms. Kanika said that the implementation of the project to solve the problems of forest fires and smog To reduce PM2.5 dust through communi ty participation. Fiscal year 2024 is an upgrade in solving the problems of forest fires, smog, and PM2.5 dust in the area of ??17 northern provinces. and areas with hot spots and a high risk of forest fires During January - May 2024, which is a period when severe forest fires often occur. By hiring people in the area to conduct intensive surveillance in risky areas. This makes it possible to detect forest fires in a timely manner. And the forest fire was controlled quickly and the fire did not spread widely. It increases the efficiency of solving wildfire problems during periods of high risk of drought. Reduce the severity and impact on the environment and public health. Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister said that the Prime Minister has ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to proactively adjust KPIs with the hope of reducing forest fires by 50% or more to prevent corruption. To use satellite data and hot spots, including organizing a forest fire suppression team t o closely monitor. Source: Thai News Agency