The Ke Khe canal renovation project, approved in 2008 with a total investment of approximately USD 8.6 million, has remained stagnant for 17 years.

The open canal is plagued with piles of waste and a foul odor, significantly affecting residents' quality of life in central Hanoi.

Ke Khe canal stretches 1.7 kilometers through Doi Can and Kim Ma wards (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi), with 750 meters of the canal remaining open and heavily polluted.

Despite being situated in a densely populated area, the canal has become a dumping ground, emitting a persistent stench.

In 2008, the Hanoi People's Committee approved the canal's renovation project, which aimed to cover 1.04 kilometers of the canal and construct a 25-meter-wide roadway.

However, 17 years later, the project remains incomplete. The narrow, degraded roads along the canal create inconvenience and hazards for residents, while the water remains dark and malodorous year-round.

Sections of the canal have become makeshift paths for local residents, as some areas lack embankments or barriers. The canal’s starting point is located at the end of Van Phuc Street (at the intersection with Alley 218 Doi Can), stretching to Giang Van Minh Street, surrounded by bustling residential neighborhoods.

An employee of Hanoi Drainage Company, who regularly works at the canal, reported that every day she collects garbage from the area, most of which consists of household waste from the densely populated surroundings.

Despite public awareness campaigns, some residents continue to discard broken household items and other trash into the canal, exacerbating the pollution.

Numerous large garbage piles have accumulated along the canal's banks, emitting a strong odor, particularly near Van Phuc Primary School. Even with signs warning against illegal dumping, trash litters the ground and garbage trucks line up along the canal.

Some parts of the canal measure up to two meters in width, with swarms of flies and a pervasive foul smell directly affecting the living environment. A local resident, Mr. B.H.N., shared that during the summer, the air quality becomes unbearable as waste odors intensify.

Despite numerous cleanup efforts by local authorities, including interventions from the People's Committee, the area remains overwhelmed by waste and severe pollution.

Some sections of the canal, such as the starting point at the intersection with Giang Van Minh Street, have been partially covered, but construction halted, leaving building materials scattered and moss-covered.

According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the main obstacle to completing the project is the difficulty in land clearance, as many households have not accepted compensation or transferred land use rights.

Some residents, especially those in Group 9C of Alley 210/41, Doi Can Ward, have been filing complaints since 2016, particularly concerning the extension of the road boundary line.

The Department of Planning and Architecture, along with related agencies, has proposed maintaining the original boundary line according to the approved plan.

As of now, about 80% of the site clearance has been completed. However, due to fragmented land, inadequate construction space, and lack of continuous access, only 40% of the construction work has been completed.

The Hanoi Department of Transport plans to continue coordinating with the Department of Planning and Architecture and other related units to advise the city on viable solutions in line with current regulations.

Thach Thao