The project to renovate and upgrade National Highway 12A, 10.83km long, invested by the Department of Transport of Quang Binh province, includes two components: the 5.75km long section avoiding Ba Don town and the 5.07km long section avoiding Song Gianh cement factory.

The project was approved by the Ministry of Transport for investment policy and investment policy adjustment in the decision dated December 30, 2022, with a total investment of VND 511,154 billion, and completion date of December 31, 2024.

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After nearly 2 years of implementation, the project to renovate and upgrade National Highway 12A has not been completely resolved. Photo: H.Vu

Deployed since 2022, the project has so far disbursed about 65%. However, due to problems in site clearance and resettlement, the project is at risk of being behind schedule.

Specifically, at the intersection of National Highway 1A in Quang Xuan commune, Quang Trach district, 10 households were affected and had to have their land cleared, recovered, and compensated for their assets on the land.

The government has announced the compensation plan but has not approved it because the resettlement area has not been completed. The households have not agreed on the plan because the land compensation price is low and not suitable with the general price level.

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The section passing through Canh Hoa commune currently has 0.42km of land clearance remaining. Photo: Hai Sam

At the intersection of Nguyen Trai Street (Km 1 + 643), Quang Long Ward (Ba Don Town), 6 households were affected, with a route length of 0.45km. The main problem is due to the addition of previously reclaimed land for households, so related procedures must be adjusted.

The section through Canh Hoa commune (part of component project 2) currently has 0.42km of land acquisition and resettlement issues that have lasted from 2022 to present.

The scope of land acquisition includes 13 affected households and individuals, of which 11 households and individuals have their land recovered (of the 13 affected households, there are 4 cases of resettlement, 2 cases of compensation with residential land and 7 cases of additional resettlement land allocation).

Up to now, after 4 times of organization, 9/13 cases of resettlement subjects have drawn lots and 5 cases have received money and handed over land.

The family of Mr. Le Van Nuoi (born in 1941, in Tan Thi village, Canh Hoa commune) is one of the households that have not agreed to the compensation plan. Besides the house they are living in, they also let their sons build a house on the land whose name is on the land use right certificate.

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Mr. Nuoi's family has not agreed to the resettlement plan. Photo: Hai Sam

“Our family was compensated 350 million, and my son’s family was “bought” a piece of land in the resettlement area for about 300 million. This amount of money is too much for our family to afford, so we have not agreed. My wish is that my son’s family be given land without having to pay money and that the compensation for us be increased,” said Mr. Nuoi.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Ngo Duc Thinh, Deputy Director of the Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (Quang Binh Department of Transport) said that Mr. Nuoi's house is located close to the foot of the construction, the red mark on the yard is the foot of the slope so it is considered a case of compensation and not house demolition.

“Mr. Nuoi wants to be granted land without paying land use fees for his son, which is impossible because his family is not in the area of ​​land acquisition. In this case, we have flexibly and reasonably applied the compensation of more than 600 million VND, including the house and other assets ( not 350 million as the family provided - PV ).

In addition, Mr. Nuoi's family is also given priority for a plot of land in the resettlement area but must pay land use rights fees at the resettlement land price," said Mr. Thinh.

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The National Highway 1A overpass has not been able to install girders due to lack of consensus from the people. Photo: H.Vu

Recently, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy and his delegation visited the site to inspect the project's progress. According to Mr. Huy, the capital allocation deadline cannot be extended. If the project is not completed by the end of this year, further allocation cannot be made. If the site clearance is not completed before September 15, the project cannot be completed.

Regarding this project, the Ministry of Transport has previously sent a document requesting the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to support in resolving the project's site clearance problems.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the project to renovate and upgrade National Highway 12A was approved by the Ministry of Transport based on the commitment of the People's Committee of Quang Binh province to perform the duties of the investor.

Specifically, the locality committed to directing relevant agencies and units to support and facilitate the Quang Binh Department of Transport to carry out site clearance on schedule and take responsibility if the project is not implemented on schedule or does not ensure quality.

Speaking with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Phan Van Thanh, Chairman of Quang Trach District People's Committee said: "The project has been going on for many years now, site clearance work has encountered many difficulties, so the district is focusing on resolving them."