Deputies Chu Son Ha from Hanoi and Nguyen Minh Thuyet from Lang Son province asked Minister Dung to explain why Hanoi’s ring road 3 project is going slow.

In reply, Minister Dung said the project which was approved several years ago, has been changed many times to keep up with practical developments of transport along the entire route and the change is within the ministry’s jurisdiction approved by the government.  

The ministry has legal jurisdiction and is responsible to the government in drafting, changing and implementing the project, Mr Dung affirmed.

He said ring road No3 from My Dinh to Linh Dam peninsula has basically been completed except for the Thanh Xuan intersection which is being studied by engineers for changes.

He acknowledged that a lack of close coordination between the power, water drainage and telecommunications sectors has led to slow progress in implementing road projects, causing public concern. He said the incomplete road No32 is under direct management of the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee and his ministry is working with the local administration to speed up the pace.

In response to a question by deputy Vu Quang Hai from Hung Yen province, Minister Dung admitted that due attention has not been paid to maintaining and upgrading works under Rural Transport Project No2.

He pointed out the fact that a road is handed over to the local administration for management and use and it normally deteriorates after a period of time without appropriate care and maintenance. He proposed that the local administration allocate part of its budget to road maintenance and repair services to share responsibility and financial burdens with the State.

He said his ministry will not establish new toll stations and is studying regulations on toll levels to harmonise the interests of investors and road users.

Regarding traffic congestion in HCM City and Hanoi, Mr Dung said the government has issued resolution 16 to reduce traffic jams in the two cities. The ministry has implemented the resolution in both cities and obtained encouraging results.

According to the resolution, HCM City and Hanoi will invest in and directly manage transport projects in their areas while the Ministry of Transport will coordinate with the two cities to deal with traffic congestion.