VietNamNet Bridge – In no surprise to anyone, infrastructure projects across Hanoi are lagging behind schedule.

O Dong Mac - Nguyen Khoai flyover, a key transport project, is open to traffic since the end of 2016. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

Twenty-one of 55 current key projects in the capital is expected to be behind by 2020, said Nguyen Manh Quyen, director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment.

According to the director, the total investment of the 55 projects exceeds VND487 billion (US$21.2 million). Twenty-six of them are invested by the State budget and Official Development Assistance (ODA) and 27 are under public-private partnership. Two others, Medical complex of Ha Noi Heart Hospital in Tay Ho District and software technology park in Long Bien District are run by private sector investment.

As of June this year, four projects have been completed. They are all ODA projects, namely O Dong Mac - Nguyen Khoai flyover, Co Linh flyover, Nhan Chinh Park and the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The progress of 17 projects has been accelerated while 34 others are in the process of completing investment procedure.

The expected delay is due to obstacles in land clearance, amended design and prolonged PPP procedures. Several projects are also waiting for Government approval.

Build-Operate projects have been delayed because investors of several projects have had to relocate the project location or look for another land lot.

Quyen said that the city authorities would take measures to accelerate land clearance work. Chairmen of districts and towns must hold responsibility for land clearance work deadlines.

Sectors have been urged to allocate funds and make reforms to administrative procedures.

The city’s People’s Committee has asked investors to monitor contractors in construction progress and report construction obstacles to the committee.

Earlier in May this year, the city’s Department of Transport named and shamed traffic congestion hotspots, many of which are due to delayed projects.

Source: VNS