Da Nang-based Bach Dang Hotel Complex Trading - Service JSC has proposed restoring the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, which runs from central Ninh Thuan Province to the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong – a project that would carry a total cost of nearly VND29 trillion (US$1.2 billion).

Excluding interest on loans to finance the project, as well as other costs associated with accessing capital, the estimated price tag would be VND24.9 trillion ($1.06 billion).

Of the total, nearly VND2.2 trillion ($93.4 million) would be sourced from the state budget for site clearance. The investor would contribute over VND26.8 trillion ($1.14 billion), or 92.54 percent.

The investment would be expected to be recovered within 37 years and 11 months.

According to the prefeasibility report the investor has submitted to the Ministry of Transport, the project was planned to be conducted under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

In particular, the investment would go into the restoration of the 83.5-kilometer Thap Cham-Da Lat railway and its 16 stations and stops.

The investor would also restore a 76.8-kilometer section of the railroad from the Thap Cham Station in Ninh Thuan Province to the Trai Mat Station in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, and rebuild 11 stations, 64 bridges, 270 sewers, and five tunnels along the route.

Meanwhile, the 6.7-kilometer in-operation section from the Trai Mat Station to the Da Lat Station would be upgraded. These two stations would also be upgraded.

Moreover, alarm systems, rolling stocks, and carriages would be bought and installed.

Preparations for the project, completing the feasibility report, and getting the approval were expected to be carried out between late 2022 and December 2024.

From January 2025 to June 2029, the design of the project, site clearance, construction, and the purchase of rolling stocks and carriages would be completed.

The project will be operated on a trial basis between June and December 2029.

Bach Dang Hotel Complex Trading - Service JSC proposed that relevant agencies give the green light to the prefeasibility report for the railway restoration project.

The Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, one of the two first rack railways in the world, was developed by the French from 1908 to 1932. It has been suspended from operation since 1968 due to wars.

At present, only the Trai Mat-Da Lat section is operated for tourism purposes.

In July last year, the Ministry of Transport allowed Bach Dang Hotel Complex Trading - Service JSC to make the prefeasibility report for the project.

In 2015, the then prime minister approved comprehensive planning for Vietnam’s railway transport development until 2020 with a vision to 2030, including the restoration of the Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, according to news site VnExpress.

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