Crackdown on trucks dumping waste in Hà Nội

October 06, 2016 - 17:00

The traffic department in Hà Nội’s Đông Anh District set up an inspection team yesterday to crack down on trucks overloaded with construction materials and toxic waste mud.

Traffic inspectors install signs to indicate that trucks weighing more than 10 tonnes are prohibited from entering the area. — VNA/VNS Photo
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — The traffic department in Hà Nội’s Đông Anh District set up an inspection team yesterday to crack down on trucks overloaded with construction materials and suspected toxic waste mud.

Traffic inspectors have also installed signs to indicate that trucks should not be overloaded - they have been banned from entering the area if they weigh more than 10 tonnes - all along the road to the mudflats of the Red River in Mạch Lũng Village.

The move was made after local residents alleged that many trucks had been seen carrying waste mud, which might contain toxic substances, and are dumping it in the area, thereby polluting the river water and putting people’s health at risk.

Lê Thành Điểm, head of traffic inspection team in Đông Anh District, said his team had seen waste mud being dumped in the area. “The dumping has damaged the dyke road and residents are angry because it stinks,” he said.

Điểm said the inspection team would patrol the key roads to keep a check on overloaded trucks, especially those heading to the mudflats in Mạch Lũng village.

The dumping of construction materials and waste mud in the area is a recent occurrence. Bùi Quang Tuấn, vice-chairman of the communal People’s Committee, said the illegal dumping started six months ago. On Monday afternoon, the reporter observed heaps of scrap along the road to the mudflats in Đại Mạch Commune.

Since early this year, traffic inspectors in Đông Anh District have stopped more than 400 overloaded trucks and collected fines to the tune of VNĐ1 billion ($44,800). — VNS

 

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