VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities have scrapped nearly 100 projects on around 1,500ha because of delays, which have left owners of those lands in limbo for years in some cases.

The lands and buildings on them - to have been used for the projects - revert to their owners who can now build or knock down structures, something that had been prohibited since the projects' licensing.

The projects, including 20 in the Sai Gon South Urban Area, had all been delayed after being issued land-use certificates or approved, while the investors failed to pay compensation to the owners.

The HCM City Department of Natural Resources and Environment said the certificates and approvals have now been revoked.

Many of the 20 projects located in Sai Gon South Urban Area were approved 12 years ago.

Construction of commercial and residential area No 19 by the Lac Hong JSC in An Phu Tay Commune, Binh Chanh District, was approved in 2002 and renewed in 2009, but work had yet to start.

Approval for construction of residential area 6B on 8ha in Binh Chanh District's Binh Hung Commune was in 2001 but again work had yet to start.

Ho Trung Hieu, deputy head of the Sai Gon South Urban Area Management Board, said most of the 20 projects in the area were scrapped due to problems with payment of compensation.

He said the 100 projects were spread over 16 districts, with Binh Chanh, Tan Phu, and District 7 topping the list.

"Owners of the properties would now be allowed to transfer their land-use rights and issued construction permits," Doan Nhat, deputy chairman of the Binh Chanh District People's Committee, told Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Source: VNS