The report by an independent expert panel looks into the problems encountered on the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The government set up the panel to investigate why the estimated cost to complete the Hong Kong section has risen to HK$71.52bn (£5.5bn) from the HK$65bn (£5bn) approved in 2010 (link opens in new tab).
The report’s recommendations include:
- improving institutional arrangements for concession agreements;
- adopting internationally recognised best practices for complex projects;
- enhancing progress reporting;
- suggestions for immediate application to the project; and,
- the government's external scrutiny of its portfolio of infrastructure projects.
Changes will be adopted in the monitoring mechanisms for the project. In addition, institutional arrangements for the implementation of future railway projects will be studied in detail.
The government said that the Transport & Housing Bureau and the Highways Department will now pursue the report's recommendations and explore the implementation arrangements with the Mass Transit Railway Corporation and other parties.
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