The project to dredge and reinforce Suối Cái Bridge in Bình Dương Province has been implemented to ensure the need for drainage of rainwater and wastewater. — VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH DƯƠNG — The southern province of Bình Dương is ramping up implementation of two key anti-flooding projects worth trillions of đồng, focusing on site clearance and compensation to meet deadlines and maximise investment efficiency.

The two projects include the drainage system for Dĩ An Town and Tân Đông Hiệp Industrial Park in Dĩ An City, and the dredging and reinforcement of Suối Cái, from Thợ Ụt Bridge to the Đồng Nai River.

According to the provincial Management Board for Agriculture and Rural Development Projects, the Suối Cái project has a total investment of nearly VNĐ5.9 trillion (US$231 million), covering a stretch of about 19km. It is designed with reinforced concrete embankments to ensure efficient drainage and prevent erosion along the stream.

Since the project commenced in November 2021, land clearance and compensation have progressed significantly. Out of 965 affected households and organisations over two phases, 935 compensation plans have been approved.

As of early June, the site has been cleared and handed over in 775 cases, covering roughly 80 per cent of the total land area, while the rest were still unresolved due to a multitude of reasons.

The second key project—drainage improvement in Dĩ An Town and Tân Đông Hiệp Industrial Park—features a main drainage channel that traverses both Bình Dương and Đồng Nai provinces. It too has been facing delays due to challenges in land clearance.

In Bình Dương, compensation along the Rạch Cái Bridge (also known as Suối Xiệp) has been ongoing since 2018.

On June 4, land from four households affected by the construction of a culvert under National Highway 1K was handed over, providing sufficient conditions to begin work on this critical flood-prevention section.

In Đồng Nai, of the 79 affected cases, 77 have been cleared and handed over, accounting for 90.5 per cent of the area.

The culvert under National Highway 1K is deemed an urgent structure to prevent seasonal flooding.

It was ordered to begin construction on April 15 by the Bình Dương People’s Committee.

However, land was not fully handed over until June 5—coinciding with the start of the rainy season.

The delay raises concerns about potential disruptions during the rainy season and casts doubt on whether the works can be completed as planned before peak rainfall.

Project managers noted that the biggest bottlenecks are compensation, lack of “clean” land at strategic sites such as the lower section of Suối Cái and the National Highway 1K crossing—where delays could risk public traffic safety if not swiftly resolved.

In addition, the ongoing restructuring of administrative boundaries at the district level, as per central government directives, could further complicate prolonged disputes if not resolved by the end of June.

The Suối Cái urban drainage and flood prevention project, with huge investment capital of nearly VNĐ5.9 trillion (US$231 million), is being implemented in Bình Dương Province. VNA Photo

In response, the Management Board of Agriculture and Rural Development Projects urgently requested Dĩ An City to quickly tackle the remaining land clearance cases to hand over the land, and Tân Uyên City to complete resettlement arrangements and speed up land compensasion.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has been urged to expedite the issuance of land use rights certificates for resettled households.

Accelerating land clearance and compensation is seen as critical to maintaining the construction schedule, improving urban drainage infrastructure, mitigating flood risks and ensuring public safety during the 2025 rainy season. — VNS