Road and sidewalk digging at the end of the year: "A chronic problem"

Báo Quốc Tế•30/12/2023

For many years now, every year-end, numerous roads, sidewalks, and median strips in the capital city are dug up for repair, leaving them in a messy state. This "chronic problem" not only significantly affects and hinders traffic but also disrupts the daily lives of residents.

Đào đường, vỉa hè cuối năm: 'Căn bệnh kinh niên'

Many roads and sidewalks in Hanoi are once again being dug up during the year-end period. (Source: dangcongsan.vn)

In the final days of 2023, many streets and sidewalks in Hanoi were once again dug up and repaved, looking like construction sites. This has become a recurring theme for many years. Despite annual media reports on this issue, the work of digging up streets at the end of the year seems unchanged for the implementing agencies, occurring not only in central streets but also "exploding" in alleyways within residential areas.

Towards the end of the year, people's travel needs increase. This is also the time when streets need a clean and tidy appearance to welcome the Lunar New Year, so the recurring problem of road digging at the end of the year often causes resentment. During meetings between the people and National Assembly and Hanoi City People's Council representatives, many voters expressed their frustration and asked: Why aren't construction projects carried out throughout the year, but only at the end of the year? Is this an "unavoidable" situation that cannot be avoided? And how can this "chronic problem" be stopped?

Explaining the road digging situation at the end of the year, Mr. Le Ngoc Minh, Vice Chairman of Ngoc Ha Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, said: In general, a project, from the initial proposal to approval, goes through many stages and must follow the correct procedures, which takes time. Usually, construction only begins in October, or at the latest December each year.

An official from the Thanh Xuan District People's Committee also stated that, in order to approve the investment policy, the project must first be approved by the District People's Council and included in the medium-term public investment list. Following that, the District People's Committee prepares a report proposing the investment policy and submits it to the Department of Planning and Investment, seeking opinions from many departments such as: Construction, Finance, Planning and Architecture, Transportation, and Natural Resources and Environment; only then is it submitted to the City People's Council for approval of the investment policy.

Similarly, National Assembly representative Truong Xuan Cu (Hanoi delegation) stated that the recurring issue of road and sidewalk repairs at the end of the year has been frequently complained about by the public and citizens. The main reason is the problem of capital disbursement, making it difficult to allocate budget at the beginning of the year. Even when funds are available, they have to go through many procedures and bidding processes... This leads to construction and road digging only starting at the end of the year.

Some experts also analyze that the year-end road digging season is due to localities rushing to meet disbursement targets. This activity is usually not prioritized for funding at the beginning and middle of the year, but rather only disbursed towards the end of the year when localities have remaining funds. Therefore, these activities depend on the budget revenue and expenditure situation and the investment plan of the locality.

A representative from the Maintenance Department of the Hanoi City Department of Transport stated that the reason for the delay is related to the approval process for policies and plans from higher-level units. The unit also wanted to implement the work earlier, but because annual and quarterly maintenance and repair plans are submitted to higher levels and only approved in the third or fourth quarter, the maintenance and repair work is delayed and rushed.

On December 27, 2023, at a meeting with departments, agencies, districts, and communes, the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Tran Sy Thanh, also stated that he was very "impatient" about this issue, because the situation of beautifying gardens, sidewalks, repairing roads, etc., is a recurring concern for citizens and the press every year. Every year, plans are drawn up at the beginning of the year, but implementation only begins at the end of the year.

Therefore, the head of the Hanoi City government believes that the procedures on this matter must be carried out early, so that construction can begin around the middle of the year to ensure quality, urban aesthetics, civility, and politeness. "Stop granting permits for digging sidewalks and roads, and stop construction from January 16, 2024 (the 6th day of the 12th lunar month) until the end of the Lunar New Year 2024," Chairman Tran Sy Thanh demanded.

It can be said that every time Tet (Lunar New Year) comes around, the capital city in particular and the whole country in general need to be renovated to welcome a more beautiful new spring. Maintaining and repairing sidewalks is actually a necessary task for the urban landscape and the common good. The problem lies in the fact that the implementation methods of the management and construction units are not always appropriate.

Therefore, it is time for traffic management agencies to make timely adjustments and resolutely reduce the number of roadblocks and trenches obstructing traffic during the Tet holiday season. Relevant units need to be proactive and have a reasonable plan for allocating repair work; then the recurring problem of road digging at the end of the year can certainly be mitigated, or even eliminated, to reduce inconvenience for the people in a harmonious and reasonable manner. And in this process, stronger sanctions must be implemented, resolutely halting construction and requiring the restoration of sidewalks for projects that are delayed.

Source