Khánh Hòa – Buôn Ma Thuột Highway Blocks Access to Farmland: Petition for Service Road Construction

On January 8th, a spokesperson from the Department of Economics, Infrastructure, and Urban Development of Ninh Hoa Ward (Khanh Hoa Province) announced that local authorities are reviewing and seeking solutions to residents’ concerns regarding the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway blocking access to agricultural lands.

According to local reports, following the expressway project’s implementation, several remaining agricultural plots after land acquisition lack accessible routes for cultivation. Upon examining submitted petitions, authorities identified agricultural lands along the expressway, specifically from the Km1+387 civilian underpass to the Km1+900 residential area (right side of the route), spanning over 512 meters, currently inaccessible for farming activities.

In response, the People’s Committee of Ninh Hoa Ward has formally requested the Project Management Unit for Agricultural and Transport Infrastructure Investment in Khanh Hoa Province – the investor of Component 1 of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway – to consider investing in a civilian access road, facilitating residents’ movement and agricultural production on the remaining plots.

However, the investor responded that the area in question, where residents requested additional access roads, is agricultural land with no residential population. Prior to the expressway project, these plots also lacked dedicated access routes for farming. Therefore, the proposal for additional civilian access roads is deemed unjustified under current regulations.

Mr. Lai Quoc Sy, Head of Van Dinh Neighborhood, confirmed that he has fully documented residents’ opinions and submitted a petition to the Ninh Hoa Ward People’s Committee. Approximately 20 households (from the former Ninh Dong Commune) own agricultural lands in this area but lack civilian access roads, hindering farming activities.

The Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway, stretching 117.5 km with a total investment of nearly VND 22 trillion, is divided into three components. Component 1, entirely within Khanh Hoa Province, spans 31.5 km with an investment of approximately VND 5,333 billion, commenced in June 2023. The Ninh Hoa Ward People’s Committee continues to gather resident feedback and report to competent authorities for appropriate resolution.