The ministry said in its recentreport that 64 trillion VND of the total funding would go to roadprojects, 6.5 trillion VND to waterway developments and 1.5 trillion VNDto aviation facilities.
Hefty funding is being sought forconstruction of My Thuan-Can Tho expressway, Dai Ngai bridge linking TraVinh and Soc Trang provinces, the second phase of a coastal road in thedelta’s southern part as well as upgrade and widening of nationalhighways.
Regarding inland waterway projects, huge capital willbe required to dredge the sections of Ho Chi Minh-Ca Mau, Ho ChiMinh-Kien Luong, Moc Hoa-Ha Tien, Rach Gia-Ca Mau and Quan Lo-PhungHiep.
The ministry is raising money for building Tan Chau, BinhLong, Tac Cau and Ong Doc ports; upgrading Cai Cui into a nationalgeneral port and constructing a major coal port for thermal power plantsin the east and west of the region.
The ministry will upgradeCan Tho, Phu Quoc, Ca Mau and Rach Gia airports to enable them to handlemore passengers in the coming years and fuel tourism sector growth inthe region.
Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The said infrastructure development is a key driver for economic growth.
Hetold the Daily on the sidelines of a conference in Can Tho city lastweek that the ministry is finding investments for many infrastructureprojects, particularly transport projects crucial to socio-economicdevelopment of the region.
The important transport projectsinclude an expressway that runs in parallel with National Highway 1A inthe region, the Ho Chi Minh highway section from Go Quao to Vinh Thuan,Cao Lanh and Vam Cong bridges, a highway linking bridges and roads inthe east of the region and road N1.
The ministry has listed the transport projects as priorities in 2016-2020.
“Oncecompleted, the major transport projects will better link localities inthe Mekong Delta and between the region and other parts of the country.They are expected to help create economic breakthroughs in the region,”The was quoted as saying.
Contractors are urgently dredging awaterway for larger vessels to make their way up the Hau River at theend of this year, according to the ministry.
The ministry said anumber of major transport projects would be put into use next year,including the upgraded National Highway 91, the expanded NationalHighway 63 section in the centre of Ca Mau, the expanded NationalHighway 61B section from Vinh Tuong intersection to Long My town in HauGiang, and the expanded National Highway 54 section in Dong Thapprovince.
The key transport projects in place in the region since2010 consist of Can Tho, Ham Luong and Co Chien bridges, HCM City-TrungLuong Expressway and the expanded National Highway 1A section from MyThuan bridge to Can Tho city. Some 40 trillion VND has been spent onthese projects.-VNA