According to VietNamNet reporters, at the underpass at the Ho Chi Minh City National University intersection, part of the Hanoi Highway expansion project in Tan Phu ward, Thu Duc City, the drainage system has been vandalized.
Specifically, reinforced concrete manhole covers for drainage ditches, steel drainage channels, reinforced concrete slabs for road embankment slopes, etc., within this intersection area were vandalized.
Upon observation, the concrete slabs, measuring 70cm in length, 50cm in width, and approximately 7cm in thickness, which functioned to cover drainage pipes to prevent debris, ensure traffic safety, and enhance aesthetics, had been smashed, with the reinforcing steel inside stolen.
According to VietNamNet's investigation, the unit currently managing the regular maintenance and upkeep of the Hanoi Highway and National Highway 1 (the section from the old Tram 2 intersection to the Tan Van interchange under the BOT contract signed with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee) is Hanoi Highway Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company (CII).
The concrete drainage grates were smashed to pieces, and the iron cores were stolen by thieves to sell as scrap metal. Photo: TN
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Deputy Director of CII, confirmed that more than 200 concrete slabs in the underpass area of the Ho Chi Minh City National University intersection were vandalized by thieves.
"The perpetrators usually choose the middle of the night or early morning to break open the concrete slabs to steal the steel for scrap. Late on May 16th, during our patrol, we discovered the perpetrators abandoning their motorbike and the evidence before fleeing. We then reported the incident to the People's Committee of Thu Duc City and other relevant authorities for assistance in handling the case," Mr. Nam informed.
A representative from CII stated that due to the large number of damaged slabs, the unit has not been able to repair them in time.
"We are currently having a large number of new paving slabs cast to be reinstalled in the damaged locations to ensure traffic safety and urban aesthetics," Mr. Nam added.
Recently, numerous urban transportation infrastructure and public works projects in Ho Chi Minh City have been repeatedly targeted by equipment theft, causing public outrage.
In 2022, hundreds of water meters supplying clean water to households in the central districts of District 1 and District 3 (Ho Chi Minh City) were broken into and stolen. This incident not only caused economic losses and water wastage but also disrupted the daily lives of residents and businesses.
At the recently inaugurated Thu Thiem 2 bridge connecting District 1 and Thu Duc City (now Ba Son bridge), dozens of cast iron manhole covers on the bridge surface were pried off by thieves.
Even major multi-billion dollar transportation infrastructure projects like the Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line), which have strict security personnel on duty, still experience repeated thefts.
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