At the end of the year, sidewalks in Hanoi are dug up again.

In recent weeks, crowded streets such as Nguyen Xien, Khuat Duy Tien, Le Van Luong, Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Giai Phong... have continuously seen sections of sidewalks dug up, littered with sand and dirt for renovation and upgrading by replacing sidewalk stones. Groups of workers work all day, vehicles carrying materials come and go continuously. In the dry season, each gust of wind blows through, sweeping up dust and sand, clinging to houses, shops and pedestrians.

A section of sidewalk on Le Van Luong street was dug up to replace the sidewalk stones. Photo: QUOC KHANH

Not only affecting the environment, the dense construction near Tet also causes traffic to be overloaded. At many points, construction materials occupy almost the entire walkway, forcing pedestrians to step onto the road, increasing the risk of collision with vehicles. Businesses on both sides of the street are also heavily affected: customers are reluctant to stop their vehicles, sales spaces are blocked by corrugated iron fences, and dust has significantly reduced business.

Construction materials and pavement stones are piled up haphazardly on many streets in Hanoi, affecting people's travel. Photo: QUOC KHANH

The sidewalk on a street in Hanoi is full of rocks and dirt, causing significant impact on people's travel. Photo: QUOC KHANH

Many people are upset that upgrading sidewalks is necessary, but it cannot be done at the end of every year. This is the time when the demand for travel and shopping increases, everyone wants the roads to be clear and airy to prepare for Tet.

Mr. Le Van Hung, a resident of Le Van Luong Street, said that the shops in the area where the sidewalk was dug up were almost “paralyzed”: “It is difficult for customers to stop their vehicles, dust flies all day, we are very tired. I don’t understand why every year the pavement is paved over and over again, but not long after it is finished, they continue to dig it up,” Mr. Hung expressed concern.

A section of sidewalk in Hanoi is under construction with warning signs and apologies from the authorities. Photo: QUOC KHANH

Not only that, the haphazard accumulation of construction materials after completion of some sections also makes many people fed up. Piles of sand, rocks, and cement that have not been transported yet are scattered on the sidewalks, making the sidewalks messy and unsightly.

A section of sidewalk on Le Van Luong Street has been completed but people still cannot use it. Photo: QUOC KHANH

The Hanoi People's Committee has issued a document to rectify the investment and management of sidewalks, requiring close monitoring of progress and quality, and checking the causes of sidewalk stones peeling off and cracking. However, with the reality that some sidewalks were dug up and repaved this year, public opinion has questioned whether the management has been effective or not and the specific responsibilities of management agencies, local authorities and construction units.

A section of sidewalk on Nguyen Ngoc Vu street was dug up, causing serious traffic safety problems.

People had to use tarps to cover a section of the dug-up sidewalk for daily use. Photo: QUOC KHANH

Many people in the capital want the renovation and upgrading of infrastructure to be calculated reasonably, avoiding the concentration of massive construction at the end of the year. More importantly, the quality of the works needs to be guaranteed so that there will no longer be a scene of digging up sidewalks at the end of the year to replace paving stones, causing waste of budget and affecting people's lives. A civilized city is not only about new paved sidewalks but also a convenient, safe and stable living space for all people.

NATIONAL DAY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cuoi-nam-via-he-o-ha-noi-lai-dao-boi-ngon-ngang-post827474.html