Currently, thereare 26 major transport projects nationwide with a total investment ofnearly 575 billion VND (27 million USD); seven of which have beencompleted and 19 still in progress. Many projects among these arelagging behind anticipated schedules.
DeputyMinister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong said the country's landclearance policy depended largely on the different conditions ofdifferent areas. He added that resident dissatisfaction with offers onland compensation hindered major project progress.
The director of the Civil Engineering Construction Company No 4 (Cienco4), Le Ngoc Hoa, said contractors also needed to co-operate with projectconsultants and supervisory groups.
He citedthe highway project from Nhat Tan Brigde to Noi Bai Airport, in whichCienco 4 provided considerable support to local residents for landclearances. "We have to increase the expenditures but we have to cleanconstruction site sooner. In the end, we save more," he said.
Truong Quang Thieu, head of Hanoi's Land Clearing Department, saidissues on resettlement must be tackled to uphold the rights ofresidents.
Officials also admitted during theonline discussion that many projects had degraded shortly after beingput in to use. Pot-holes and road depressions were located on CauGie-Ninh Binh Highway six months after its completion. Some parts ofLang-Hoa Lac Highway are currently flooded.
PhamTuan Anh, vice head of the Ministry of Transport's Department forManagement of Traffic Work Construction and Quality, said roaddepressions had occurred on many highways and roads, threatening severeaccidents. He added that the Ministry of Transport had attempted toaddress the problem.
Overweight trucks were onereason for the damage, said Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Tuong, addingthat the country needed to import the tar used for building roads andwas unable to ensure quality. He confirmed that the examinations showedno violations in terms of corruption.
Minister DinhLa Thang recently asked contractors to repair damage to the NationalHighway No.1 before December 31 this year. He also demanded thatcontractors to maintain the roads for up to 5 years and withdrawconsultant fees for repairing violations.-VNA