Chinese train contractor told to ensure safety
Transport Minister Dinh La Thang issued a warning to the Cat Linh–Ha Dong train project's principal EPC contractor, China Railway Sixth Group (CRSG), following a series of construction and traffic-safety violations.
In a meeting on January 4, Thang said recent accidents had shown that the contractor not only failed to comply with safety standards, but also caused public fear and discontent.
"We cannot allow another accident to happen," Thang said. "People's lives are at risk here. Every time something went wrong, they said that they accepted responsibility. But nothing changed after that."
Thang ordered CRSG to immediately replace the project's director general. The group also needed to terminate its contract with the current consultant firm and allow the ministry to assign a new one.
Should CRSG fail to comply with the orders, the ministry will request Government permission to find another principal EPC contractor.
Special ministry task forces will be dispatched to supervise construction, and ensure all safety standards and procedures are followed.
A leader of CRSG said the group would perform a comprehensive capacity evaluation of its sub-contractors, and those who did not make the cut would be replaced.
The most recent accident took place on December 28. Scaffolding and a frame collapsed in Ha Dong District, crushing a taxi with four people inside and endangering the lives of nine construction workers. Fortunately, no one died in the incident.
Also, in November in Ha Dong District, a steel beam fell from a crane, killing a passer-by and injuring two others. The project was suspended for 8 days before it was allowed to continue.