Road construction in Yên Bái Province causes landslides, affecting the locals

The entire area of one hectare-sized fish pond in Bùi Văn Doanh in Đoàn Kết Village of Đại Sơn Commune in Yên Bái Province Đại Sơn Commune was buried by soil and rocks from the construction of road No. 175. VNA/VNS Photo

YÊN BÁI – Dozens of households in An Thịnh, Đại Sơn and Mỏ Vàng communes in Yên Bái Province are being significantly impacted by landslides and debris during the construction of road project connecting Nghĩa Lộ town with the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway.

The local residents say that their gardens, ponds, and rice fields are being buried, although they live outside the project’s clearance boundary.

In Đoàn Kết Village of Đại Sơn Commune, where construction is being carried out by a consortium of Hải Phong Construction and Transportation Joint Stock Company and Hoàng Kim Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company, there are several points of sidings, with the risk of landslides.

On the road, many positions under construction have deep grooves caused by erosion on both sides due to incomplete drainage systems. Along the provincial road No. 175, there are several high mounds of dirt piled up and some areas of ponds, gardens and rice fields have been buried due to blocked drainage ditches.

The road leading to one hamlet of the ethnic Mông people, has broken tarmac due to construction and excavations that are causing serious problems for residents who need to commute.

The family of Bùi Văn Doanh in Đoàn Kết Village has had their fish pond buried with debris from the construction of provincial road No. 175 since March 2024. However, local authorities and investors have not yet inventoried or proposed any support plans. 

“Every time it rains heavily, mud flows into my pond,” Doanh said. 

“Hải Phong Company has dumped dirt on the road. I don’t know if it was a landfill or not. If it was not a landfill and they dumped it on the road that flowed into my pond, I request the company and the commune authorities to resolve and compensate us. Even if I excavate the mud, it will continue to flow in, making it impossible to raise fish,” said Doanh angrily. 

Similarly, Lê Thanh Quy’s house in the village has a large area of cinnamon-growing hill that has been eroded due to construction by the contractor, but the issue has not been resolved. The hill area is also at risk of further landslides.

According to official documents provided by authorities, the provincial road No. 175 project connecting Nghĩa Lộ Town with the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway is part of the Northern Mountainous Transport Connection Project with a total length of 53km.

The starting point is the intersection of the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway in Văn Yên District of Yên Bái Province, and the endpoint is the intersection with National Highway 32 in Liên Sơn Town, Văn Chấn District, Yên Bái Province. 

The project is divided into three main packages, CW-09, CW-10, and CW-11, with a total investment of nearly VNĐ1.3 trillion (US$51 million) which started June 23, 2022.

The progress of CW-09 and CW-10 packages has been hampered due to some local problems and land clearance issues.

In Văn Yên District, road No.175 passes through An Thịnh, Đại Sơn, and Mỏ Vàng communes, with a total length of nearly 40km.

According to local authorities, 38 households outside the clearance boundary are affected by the construction of this road, including 11 households in An Thịnh Commune, 20 in Mỏ Vàng Commune and seven in Đại Sơn Commune affected by landslides. 

Lê Hoàn, chairman of the People’s Committee of Đại Sơn Commune, said that the road construction in Văn Yên District through Đại Sơn Commune is 80-90 per cent complete.

Land clearance in Đại Sơn Commune is no longer an issue. However, deep subsidence and landslides during construction have caused problems for seven households. 

“The commune has sent a team to inspect the construction site and report to the district’s Land Clearance Council, the Ministry of Transport, the investors and the two contractors of Hoàng Kim and Hải Phong companies to coordinate in resolving issues outside the clearance boundary for the affected households,” said Hoàn.

“The district is planning to hold a meeting with the investor and the contractors to resolve the land clearance issues in the three communes in line with reality and legal regulations,” Lê Hoàn said.

Meanwhile, Lưu Trung Kiên, vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Văn Yên District, stated that on July 22, the district’s People’s Committee had worked with the communes, investors and contractors to define the responsibilities of related parties and discuss solutions to overcome the situation.

The road connecting Nghĩa Lộ Town with the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway will meet the travel needs of local residents, opening up new opportunities for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, promoting economic development, ensuring social welfare, and sustainably reducing poverty, he said. VNS