The Hanoi - Hai Phong highway is among new and modern transport works of Vietnam. (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City needs moreinvestment capital for transport infrastructure development, according to thecity’s transport department.
Investment for urban transport infrastructure for last yearwas modest and below the needs of the biggest city of the country, thedepartment said in its report on Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon)newspaper on December 11.
In 2016-2020, demand for investment capital for transportinfrastructure was estimated at about 500 trillion VND (22 billion USD).
But the city had allocated 21.6 trillion VND (951 million USD)for 2016 and 2017, and about 41 trillion VND (1.8 billion USD) for the nextthree years. It means the total capital the city has allocated for the5-year period is 61 trillion VND, about 10 percent of demand.
According to figures released by the department, some22,300ha of land has been approved for transport infrastructure development,but only 7,800ha is being used currently.
The total length of roads in the city was about 4,155km,equivalent to 1.98km of road per sq.km of city area. However, urbanconstruction standards dictate the percentage range from 10 to 13.3km of roadper sq.km of city area.
The city is also short of car parking areas while moreprivate vehicles enter the roads every year. This has led to the roads beingused for parking, causing traffic jams.
At present, parking areas for public busses and taxi cabstotals 29.9ha, just 37 percent compared to the plan.
The city also lacks funds to build new roads and bridges.
According to the department, the city has more than 1,000bridges but many have small capacities.
Many bridges in the city are also too old, with Phu LongBridge built in 1913 and linking District 12 to the neighbouring province of BinhDuong, crowded day and night.
The bridge is accessible for under-eight tonne cars andtwo-wheeled vehicles only.
The city also has to pay for 24-hour patrol services on theold bridges which are still in use.-VNA
VNA
