Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh has mandated that by September 2, 2025, a system supplying Red River water to the To Lich River must be completed under any circumstances.

On the morning of December 2, Hanoi Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai and Chairman Tran Sy Thanh inspected the progress of the Yen Xa wastewater treatment project and initiatives to clean the To Lich River.

Hoang Trong Tung, Director of the Hanoi Technical Infrastructure and Agricultural Investment Project Management Board, reported that the Yen Xa Wastewater Treatment Plant, with a capacity of 270,000 cubic meters per day, has been completed and is undergoing trial operations.

The construction of the interceptor sewer system for the To Lich River is 98% complete, with all pipeline installation finished and wastewater directed to the treatment plant since May 29, 2024. The contractor is currently restoring affected surfaces.

For the interceptor sewer system along the Lu River, the city is finalizing procedures to transition funding from official development assistance (ODA) to municipal budgets. Meanwhile, construction on parts of the sewer system in Ha Dong District is 22% complete.

Both Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai and Chairman Tran Sy Thanh emphasized the importance of ensuring a consistent water flow to “revive” the To Lich River. With wastewater now being collected and treated at the Yen Xa plant, replenishment is the next critical step.

Director Hoang Trong Tung proposed transferring Red River water to West Lake and then channeling it to the To Lich River via a separate pipeline. "This method would ensure Red River water is available to clean the To Lich River within six months," Tung said.

During discussions, project leaders and Hanoi's Department of Construction also addressed sludge management and water transfer logistics from West Lake to the To Lich River.

Acknowledging past delays in constructing the Yen Xa plant and To Lich River sewer system, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh urged all parties to meet deadlines. He outlined an emergency implementation plan to transfer Red River water to West Lake, with a three-month timeframe for administrative procedures and six months for construction.

"Under any conditions, this project must be completed by September 2, 2025," Thanh emphasized, stressing the need to protect the environment and ecosystems of West Lake and the To Lich River during implementation.

At a November 27 meeting with the Hanoi Party Committee, General Secretary To Lam highlighted two urgent priorities: environmental pollution and traffic congestion, with immediate focus on addressing water pollution, particularly in the To Lich River.

Chairman Tran Sy Thanh noted that Hanoi has invested in six centralized wastewater treatment facilities, primarily serving the urban areas south of the Red River, including the To Lich River basin. These plants collectively process 314,300 cubic meters of wastewater daily.

Alongside the trial operation of the Yen Xa plant, the city is finalizing plans for the "Environmental Quality Restoration and Development of Hanoi’s Four Inner-city Rivers: To Lich, Kim Nguu, Lu, and Set." The initiative aims to collect and treat wastewater, operate advanced treatment systems, and upgrade the rivers’ landscapes.

By 2025, the To Lich River is expected to see significant environmental and visual improvements, enhancing the quality of life for Hanoi’s residents.

Quang Phong