Strictly handle the use of under-bridge space for parking

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are more than 200 large and small bridges, some of which are being used as storage areas for goods and motorbikes, causing loss of urban beauty. In particular, some places have even turned the space under the bridge into a 24/7 parking lot, leading to a loss of bridge structure safety in case of a fire or explosion.

HCMC: Many bridge spaces are occupied

The area under Ong Lon overpass on Nguyen Van Linh street (towards National Highway 1A) in Binh Hung commune, Ho Chi Minh City has been occupied with traffic infrastructure to make a car park, coffee shop, and is also a place where many people live.

Parking lot under Ong Lon bridge, Nguyen Van Linh street, Binh Hung commune, HCMC. Photo: QUOC HUNG

The entire area under the bridge is surrounded by old corrugated iron sheets, assembled with steel frames, creating an area like a solid parking lot. Inside, dozens of cars of all kinds are lined up in rows, parked close together, and parking activities take place openly 24/7. Parking prices range from 800,000-2,000,000 VND/car/month, depending on the type of car.

Mr. Vo Anh H., who lives near the parking lot, said: Parking lots not only spoil the urban beauty, but gathering vehicles under the bridge also poses many potential risks. If a fire or explosion occurs, the fire and smoke will directly affect the concrete, steel, piers, and bridge beams, causing the structure to lose its load-bearing capacity, threatening traffic safety on the main route of the southern gateway to Ho Chi Minh City. "In addition to the risk of fire or explosion, occupying the space under the bridge also leads to many other consequences, affecting people's lives. Rusty, distorted corrugated iron sheets are patched together, looking shabby and potentially dangerous in strong winds or collisions," said Mr. H.

Similarly, under Him Lam Bridge connecting Binh Hung Commune with Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, much of the area under the bridge has been illegally occupied as a parking lot. Dozens of private cars, large tourist vehicles and many other vehicles are parked close together, occupying almost the entire space under the bridge. The vehicles are parked close together, leaving only a narrow path, without fire prevention and fighting equipment.

A similar situation also occurred under Dinh Bo Linh Bridge (across Cau Son Canal in Thanh My Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). Many spontaneous parking lots sprung up on both sides of the bridge, gathering dozens of vehicles from personal cars, tourist cars to pickup trucks, lined up in long rows, turning this area into a large-scale parking lot. The entire area under the bridge has no emergency exit or specialized fire prevention equipment. If a fire occurs, the fire will quickly spread, and the fire department will have difficulty accessing the scene. Although the authorities have issued documents strictly prohibiting the use of areas under bridges as parking lots to ensure road traffic safety, this situation still blatantly continues, and some places have even closed their doors to disguise themselves more sophisticatedly than before.

Hanoi reviews and thoroughly handles

After the fire at the parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge, the Hanoi Department of Construction has just issued an official dispatch assigning the Traffic Infrastructure Maintenance Board to preside over and coordinate with the winning contractors for road management and maintenance to review all management and use of road safety corridors under their management, especially the temporary use of roads and sidewalks for other purposes; ensure that roads and sidewalks are not used for purposes contrary to regulations; coordinate with the Hanoi Police, People's Committees of communes and wards to promptly handle cases of encroachment and occupation; illegal use of road safety corridors and road land contrary to the provisions of law.

For more than a decade, the practice of using under bridges as parking spaces has persisted, despite legal regulations. The paradox is that although the 2008 Road Traffic Law does not allow the use of under bridges, Hanoi still “asked for permission” and then granted permission for at least four under-bridge locations: Vinh Tuy, Nga Tu Vong, Mai Dich and Chuong Duong. In the context of limited urban land funds, “flexibility” in space exploitation is explained as a temporary measure.

The fire at the parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge has exposed the “multi-layered” and uncontrolled management. Hanoi City assigned the management of the parking lot to Hanoi Parking Lot Exploitation Company Limited, but this unit then continued to subcontract it to Giang Linh Express Transport and Delivery Company Limited. Giang Linh Company is the unit that manages the part of the parking lot that caught fire at the foot of Vinh Tuy Bridge, which has allowed many violations to occur, including the previous small fire.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has just signed the Prime Minister's dispatch regarding the fire at the parking lot under Vinh Tuy Bridge, Hanoi. The Prime Minister requested Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh to immediately review the licensing and management of the parking lot in the fire, clarify the cause of the fire. In the immediate future, there must be immediate protection solutions to ensure the absolute safety of the Vinh Tuy Bridge project.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Public Security to direct the Hanoi Police and relevant police units to investigate the cause of the fire, including clarifying the fire prevention and fighting plan to handle the responsibility of violating groups and individuals in accordance with the provisions of law. The Ministry of Construction was assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Hanoi People's Committee and relevant units to clarify the compliance with the provisions of law for the operation of the above-mentioned parking lot; organize inspection and assessment of the impact of the fire on the quality and operation of the Vinh Tuy bridge project, and report to the Prime Minister the results before September 15.

The Prime Minister also assigned the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct the review of all parking lots under bridges and roads in the area, take measures to rectify and strictly handle violations (if any) in accordance with the provisions of law.

PV GROUP

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xu-ly-nghiem-viec-chiem-dung-gam-cau-lam-bai-giu-xe-post811817.html