Social criticism on management and maintenance of road infrastructure

On February 14th, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City organized a social critique conference on the draft Decision of the City People's Committee regarding the management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of road infrastructure.

The draft consists of 5 chapters and 30 articles. Its scope covers: the management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of road infrastructure, excluding road infrastructure invested in by organizations and individuals; and the authority to decide on the disposal of road infrastructure assets. The City Department of Transportation is tasked with drafting the above Decision and submitting it to the City People's Committee.

Representatives from the Hai Phong City Department of Transportation presented their views at the conference. Photo: Phuong Thanh.

At the conference, representatives from the city's police force, various departments and agencies, political and social organizations, and experts presented 17 counter-arguments related to the draft content.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vice Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City, raised the issue of the need for consistency between the scope of regulation and the content of the document. According to regulations, in addition to the road system, road infrastructure also includes: road works; bus stations; parking lots; rest stops; vehicle stopping and parking points; road land; road safety corridors; and auxiliary works serving road activities.

Many opinions also suggest that the regulations on the temporary use of a portion of the road and sidewalk for other purposes; the construction of works on roads currently in operation; and Article 22 of the draft need to be reconsidered to ensure appropriateness in terms of authority and the functions of state management at the local level.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vice Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City, offered her input to improve the draft. Photo: Phuong Thanh.

Concluding the conference, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City, Dao Trong Duc, requested the Department of Transport to fully incorporate all feedback from relevant departments and agencies. Because the regulations in the draft have a significant impact on people's lives as well as urban order, aesthetics, and safety, relevant departments and agencies need to conduct thorough research.

Regarding the content of the Draft, the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City, Dao Trong Duc, suggested an additional approach: temporarily utilizing a portion of the road and sidewalks of streets for paid parking, in a manner consistent with regulations and planning, and addressing some of the needs of the people. When implementing this, units should be decentralized for strict management and should apply science and technology to ensure a scientific and transparent process. The streets where paid parking is permitted need specific planning, clear time regulations, and synchronization with the planning of existing parking lots.

Chairman of the Hai Phong City Fatherland Front Committee, Dao Trong Duc, delivered the concluding remarks at the conference. Photo: Phuong Thanh.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong City will compile all opinions from the conference and forward them to the City's Department of Transportation - the drafting unit - to finalize the draft to the highest quality before submitting it to the City People's Committee for approval.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/hai-phong-phan-bien-xa-hoi-ve-quan-ly-van-hanh-bao-tri-ket-cau-ha-tang-duong-bo-10299918.html