According to calculations, the total investment in the Metro Route No.1 will increase to US$2.2 billion from the initial estimate of $1.1 billion due to inflation.

The committee has also asked the board to submit documentation to the ministries of Transport and Construction for a review of the project’s design and the funding adjustment.

Construction on the metro route, planned to start this year, is set for completion in 2013 with operations beginning in 2014.

The 19.7-km route, 2.6 km underground and 17.1 km above ground, will go through districts 1, 2, 9 and Thu Duc of HCMC, and part of the neighboring province of Binh Duong’s Di An District.