“Crucial Projects in Quang Binh Province Halted Due to Land Clearance Issues”

City Center Overpass Construction Halted

In October 2022, the construction of the Dong Hoi City Center Overpass (Quang Binh, Vietnam) commenced with a total investment of VND 160 billion. The project, led by the Quang Binh Province Construction Department, includes a 1.15 km-long overpass and road, expected to be completed within 36 months (by October 2025).

Aimed at connecting the eastern and western areas of Dong Hoi City, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing safety at road-rail intersections, the project has encountered delays. Currently, only the bridge piers have been constructed, and work has been paused due to land clearance issues, making it certain that the project will not meet its initial deadline.

According to the investor, a total of 96 households and 6 organizations are affected by the project. The progress of compensation, site clearance, and resettlement is facing significant challenges and remains unresolved.

Project management leaders shared that, per the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee’s directive, land clearance for this project must be completed by May 2025. However, they estimated that only the bridge could be finished by then, and the roads leading to the bridge might only be completed by June 2025.

The land clearance challenge is attributed not only to the complex process of survey, negotiation, and compensation but also to the entanglement with another project. As a result, even if residents give up their land for this overpass, they cannot be resettled immediately.

La Trong Hydropower Project: Awaiting Power Transmission

The La Trong Hydropower Project, with a total investment of over VND 1,200 billion, is located in the upper reaches of the Gianh River, in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. As of now, the main works of the hydropower plant have been constructed and installed, and it is ready to generate electricity. However, the 110kV power line project, connecting the plant to the national power system, has not been completed due to site clearance issues.

Nguyen Viet Ha, Deputy Director of the Quang Binh Provincial Department of Industry and Trade, shared that the 31.7 km long 110kV power line has completed 115 power pole foundations and 13.36 km of wiring. However, the remaining 18.34 km is yet to be completed due to site clearance issues in both Tuyen Hoa and Minh Hoa districts.

In Tuyen Hoa, the challenge stems from a few households reoccupying the land and obstructing construction. In Minh Hoa, 45 households along the power line have not received compensation as negotiations are still ongoing.

Additionally, many households that have already received compensation and support are still causing obstructions and reoccupying the land, demanding additional compensation before allowing the continuation of construction.

Furthermore, households with annual crops, flowers, and fish ponds located under the power line’s corridor, who are not eligible for compensation, are also hindering the project by refusing to allow wiring and demanding support from the investor.

Given the complex situation, the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee has recently directed the police to intervene, ensuring the protection of construction and the strict handling of any illegal obstructions, reoccupations, or violations of the law.

The 2.2-Trillion-VND Coastal Road Project: Awaiting Land Clearance

In January 2022, Component Project 1 – The Coastal Road of the Coastal Road and Nhat Le 3 Bridge Project in Quang Binh Province was commenced, with a total investment of nearly VND 2,200 billion. The 86 km-long road, traversing through Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy, Ba Don Town, and Dong Hoi City, is expected to be completed and put into use by 2025.

This project is considered a driving force and a key focus of Quang Binh Province. Once completed, it will connect different regions within the province, link to the North Central provinces, effectively utilize coastal resources, attract investment, strengthen national defense and security, facilitate disaster prevention and rescue, and alleviate traffic congestion.

According to the Quang Binh Province Construction Department, the overall project has approved compensation and site clearance plans for 72.58/80 km (80%), and physical site clearance has been completed for 72.21/80 km (90.26%). The department, along with relevant sectors, localities, and units, is working diligently to resolve the remaining challenges in compensation and site clearance as directed by the Provincial People’s Committee.

One of the significant challenges in site clearance for this project is the large number of affected households, especially those with large-scale livestock and aquaculture farms. These farms require substantial compensation, and subsequent land allocation for their resettlement is also a complex issue.

Local leaders have been vigorously implementing the Provincial People’s Committee’s directives on compensation and site clearance, determined to resolve all challenges and deliver the construction site as per the schedule.

Recently, the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee has instructed localities to proactively develop enforcement plans and coordinate with the provincial police to ensure that all site clearance issues are resolved by May 2025.