Most major infrastructure projects in Ha Noi are behind schedule and unlikely to be completed on time, a project review meeting attended by top city leaders concluded yesterday.

Among these are six transportation infrastructure projects slated for completion this year.

The VND1.14 trillion (US$53.5 million) Ring Road 1 Project, which connects the O Dong Mac and Nguyen Khoai areas, has been delayed by slower than expected land site clearance, the meeting heard.

Problems in relocating affected residents have caused delays in the VND2.56 trillion ($120 million) Ring Road 2 Project that will link the Nga Tu So and Nga Tu Vong areas.

Other projects suffering delays include the Ha Noi Water Draining Project Phase 2, the Soc Son Waste Treatment Complex Phase 2 and expansion of the Duc Giang General Hospital.

Site clearance was the most common problem, the municipal Department of Planning and Investment informed the meeting.

It urged the capital city administration to set a second quarter deadline for main contractors and other agencies if the projects are to be completed on time.

Nguyen The Thao, Chairman of Ha Noi People's Committee, directed the projects' main contractors, district authorities and other agencies to co-operate and speed up site clearance process.

He said that citizens' rights and benefits should be protected, but when necessary, measures allowed by the law must be taken.

The chairman also urged the city's construction and finance departments to support residents in relocating.

Relocating local residents in what were originally developed as commercial housing projects would solve numerous site clearing problems and help revive the real estate market, Thao said. 

VNS