Feature story

Concerns about the railway lineGiat Bridge - Nghia Dan

Tien Dong • November 24, 2024 13:39

The Cau Giat - Nghia Dan railway line has been confirmed to continue operation. However, the future direction of this railway line remains a question that needs answering, after more than 10 years of suspended service and with the entire line now damaged.

A glorious past

The Cau Giat - Nghia Dan railway line, with a total length of 30km, was built in 1966, starting from Cau Giat station (Quynh Luu district) and ending at Nghia Dan station (now Thai Hoa town). This railway line was an important part of Vietnam's railway system during the war against the US. Its construction and completion, amidst the country's struggle against war, demonstrated the resilience of the people of Nghe An province and affirmed its importance to the national reunification effort.

Upon completion, this road was considered a vital artery connecting the lowlands and the highlands. It not only served the transportation needs of passengers and goods between the Northwest region and the plains of Nghe An province, but also played a strategic role in supplying logistics to the Southern battlefield.

During wartime, this railway line played a crucial role in transporting logistical resources such as food, weapons, and troops from the rear to the front lines. Given the complex mountainous terrain and relentless enemy attacks, maintaining the line's operation was a remarkable feat of the Vietnamese railway industry. The small stations along the line became key points for receiving and delivering goods and supplies, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow between strategic areas.

Even now, many people along National Highway 48 still vividly remember the trains connecting Cau Giat (Quynh Luu) to Nghia Dan and Thai Hoa. Back then, road infrastructure was underdeveloped, so trains would arrive on schedule, loaded with goods from the lowlands and transporting forest and agricultural products to the main station for onward travel between the North and South. When the train whistle blew, people from Quynh My, Ngoc Son, Quynh Chau (Quynh Luu) and Nghia Thuan, Nghia My (Nghia Dan) would excitedly carry their loads and board the train. At times, the train made two or three trips per morning.

However, after the period of economic reforms, this railway line gradually lost its strategic role. By 2012, trains on the line officially ceased operation due to its lack of economic viability. Since then, the entire railway line has fallen into serious disrepair. Many sections of track have been buried, the stations have become abandoned structures, and the surrounding infrastructure is no longer maintained or repaired, affecting management.

In 2022, Nghe Tinh Railway Joint Stock Company (the unit managing this railway line) submitted a report on the current state of the entire railway line to the Vietnam Railway Corporation. The report revealed a truly alarming situation. Along the 30km line, there are 42 curves and 26 sections with steep gradients. Concrete sleepers have replaced most of the previous wooden sleepers, but due to the long period of inactivity and lack of maintenance, the sleepers have rusted, broken, and become ineffective. In many sections, the wooden sleepers have rotted and are buried under the ground.

The entire line has 12 sets of switches, including 9 P24 rail switches and 3 P43 rail switches. The condition of the switches is very poor; the sleepers are rotten, and some switches are buried under rocks and soil. Not to mention there are 7 bridges, including 2 steel girder bridges and 5 ballast concrete bridges. However, these bridges are also damaged, with most of the wooden sleepers on the bridges rotting and decaying.

Additionally, this route has 17 level crossings, including 6 with barriers and 11 with warning signs. Currently, the barriers and equipment at these level crossings are dilapidated and damaged, and some have been dismantled.

We conducted a field survey along the entire route and realized the bleak reality on this railway line. Although no longer operational, the Cau Giat - Nghia Dan railway line is still maintained as a mandatory "legacy," meaning railway management agencies remain responsible for protecting and maintaining certain minimum infrastructure. However, this precarious maintenance does not guarantee the line's continued existence.

The entire line has 3 stations: Nghia Dan, Nghia Thuan, and Quynh Chau; 6 level crossing guard houses and 4 signalman houses. However, in reality, these structures have also seriously deteriorated. In particular, all the stations share the same problem of subsidence, cracked walls and roofs, peeling plaster, and rusted reinforcing steel exposed on the pillars. To the point that authorities have had to put up warning signs about the dilapidated condition and prohibit entry.

Particularly along this route, numerous construction projects have encroached upon and erased sections of the railway. Especially, many provincial and national highways under construction have overlapped with railway sections. Not to mention, many residential buildings have been constructed encroaching upon and covering the entire corridor of the Cau Giat – Nghia Dan railway line.

Is resurrection possible?

Currently, a question arises as to whether or not the Cau Giat - Nghia Dan railway line should be restored. Some argue that upgrading this line could boost the economy of Northwest Nghe An province and provide better connectivity with major economic centers.

Another approach is to exploit the tourism potential of the route. With its rich history and role in the war, this railway line could easily become an attractive historical site, serving both educational and tourism purposes. Train tours through the mountainous landscapes of Nghe An, combined with cultural and historical destinations in the region, could be developed.

Through our investigation, we found that recently, the People's Committee of Thai Hoa town has sent several documents to the agency managing this railway line requesting adjustments. Accordingly, due to the prolonged inactivity of this railway line, the managing unit needs to confirm whether or not it will continue to be used.

According to the People's Committee of Thai Hoa town: The revised general planning project for Thai Hoa town, approved by the People's Committee of Nghe An province in 2019, includes the Nghia Dan railway station located to the east of the town (near the Ho Chi Minh Highway). In addition, the eastern area of ​​Thai Hoa town already has the Nghia Thuan railway station with an area of ​​over 16,000 square meters.²Therefore, we request that the relevant authorities clarify whether this station will continue to be used or not. If not, we propose a location and size for a new station so that the town has a basis for allocating land and space in the zoning plan accordingly...

It is understood that, to date, Thai Hoa town has not received a definitive answer from the relevant authorities regarding its recommendations. This has led to difficulties and obstacles in implementing planning as well as investing in the construction of technical and social infrastructure projects in the town.

Recently, in response to a petition from voters in Thai Hoa town regarding the relocation of Nghia Dan railway station from the town center due to its inactivity for over 10 years, causing environmental pollution and wasting assets and land, the Ministry of Transport issued a document affirming that it will continue to maintain this railway line.

According to the Ministry of Transport, in the coming period, the Ministry will direct the Vietnam Railway Authority, the Vietnam Railway Corporation, and relevant agencies to review, research, and assess the demand for passenger and freight transport by rail to consider and decide on upgrading and renovating the Cau Giat – Nghia Dan railway line in order to restore train operations.

However, restoring this railway line is a matter that requires thorough and careful assessment. It requires a large investment, including costs for infrastructure renovation, station upgrades, and train purchases.

It is evident that the Cau Giat - Nghia Dan railway line, once a strategic transportation "lifeline," now lies dormant in oblivion. Preserving and developing this line is not only an economic matter but also a responsibility to history and culture. Regardless of the future, this railway line will remain an indelible part of the memories of the people of Nghe An...