Construction of the North-South Expressway, Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh section: Dust affects people's lives

Many households in Quy Nhon Tay Ward (Gia Lai Province) reported to SGGP Newspaper's hotline that for nearly 2 years they had to live with dust, pollution and insecurity along National Highway 1A (QL1A). According to the people, the consequences they suffered were due to the negligence and superficiality of the contractor constructing the North-South Expressway, Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh section.

Based on the people's feedback, SGGP reporters were present at the section of National Highway 1A through Group 2, Quarter 8 (Quy Nhon Tay Ward) to record. Here, the road surface was severely damaged with many "potholes", landslides, and white dust and rocks covering it. In the midday sun, convoys of trucks carrying rocks and dirt mixed with the stream of passenger cars and container trucks, causing National Highway 1A to often be congested, with dust surrounding houses and trees along the road. Along the road, shops and gardens were covered with dust, most households had to close their doors and hang curtains to prevent dust.

Trucks carrying soil kicked up dust as they passed through National Highway 1A, Quy Nhon Tay Ward, Gia Lai Province.

Mr. Dang Van Minh (a veteran in Ward 8) indignantly said: “Every day, trucks carrying dirt and rocks to construct the highway run like crazy cars, paying no attention to the people. During the dry season, the road is surrounded by dust on all sides, but the highway contractor does not arrange vehicles or personnel to water the dust. When people complain, they just do it perfunctorily, which is very inappropriate. During the rainy season, the roads are damaged, muddy, and there are potholes everywhere, which is very dangerous.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuan (from Residential Group 2) had similar concerns: “Every day, dust covers our house, furniture, drinking water, and trees, making my family very uneasy. My nephew coughs continuously and has to be hospitalized. We suspect that the dust is affecting his lungs. Along National Highway 1A, at least 7 households have moved to other places to escape the dust, and shops have closed because of the dust.”

At the house of Mr. Pham Cong Dieu (64 years old), the construction unit dug a very deep drainage ditch but left it unfinished, creating a deep abyss like a “death trap” in front of the house… According to the people, there are currently 180 households in Ward 8 who are suffering because of the dust along National Highway 1A. Voters and people have repeatedly petitioned and “called for help” everywhere, but the situation still continues.

Through research, National Highway 1A through Quarter 8 (Quy Nhon Tay Ward) is managed and exploited by BOT contractor Nam Binh Dinh; state management is under the responsibility of Road Management Area 3 (Vietnam Road Administration). Previously, Road Management Area 3 licensed Project Management Board 85 to use National Highway 1A to serve the construction of Package 11 of Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh Expressway. During the use, the contractor must ensure safety, environment, people's lives and repair damages, ensuring smooth road surface.

“Recently, at a meeting with us, Project Management Board 85 committed to completing the project by July 20, but until now it has not been resolved,” said a representative of Nam Binh Dinh BOT Station.

NGOC OAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thi-cong-duong-cao-toc-bac-nam-doan-quy-nhon-chi-thanh-bui-mu-anh-huong-cuoc-song-nguoi-dan-post813658.html