The Hồng (Red) river bank is marred with illegal dumping of domestic and construction waste. — Photo laodong.vn

HÀ NỘI — Illegal dumping of waste and building materials has resumed on the banks of the Hồng (Red) River, infuriating local residents after the problem seemed to have been brought under control.

Local authorities are reportedly still struggling to find new ways to track down people who pollute the rivers.

In Tây Hồ District’s Nhật Tân Ward, piles of construction waste towering five metres high have appeared over the past few months.

The waste was transported and illegally dumped by trucks operating at night to avoid detection.

Nguyễn Văn Bình, a resident of Nhật Tân Ward’s Bắc Village, told Lao Động (Labour) newspaper illegal dumping had started up again in the area.

“A convoy of trucks carrying construction waste operate day and night. When residents protest, they simply switch to operating only at night,” Bình said.

Clashes had occurred between drivers and local residents, he said.

The issues had been reported to authorities, but nothing was done.

That’s why the waste had kept piling up, he said.

Dumping in the area has caused serious impacts by encroaching on agricultural land and the riverbed and blocking the river.

In the rainy season, it becomes a major obstacle for flood drainage and causes serious pollution.

Construction waste, together with domestic waste, has transformed the area into a dump with a horrible odour.

Hoa Thị Kiều, a resident on Tân Ấp Street, complained that the smell was even worse on sunny days.

She said she hoped authorities would get serious and collect the waste.

Authorities’ feedback

Tô Ngọc Vũ, a resident of Nhật Tân Ward, raised doubts over how much authorities were doing to stop the illegal activity.

Vũ said tens of trucks went in and out of the area every day, creating a mountain of waste.

The issue had been raised several times, so there was no way authorities were unaware of the problem, Vũ said.

Đặng Hữu Tiến, vice chairman of Nhật Tân Ward’s People’s Committee, said they had taken efforts to stamp out violations in the area.

Tiến said the committee had installed barriers to block trucks from entering the area and installed cameras to deter violations.

Officers were also keeping a close watch for violations.

However, a shortage of officers made the work difficult.

Tiến said the site was managed by flower-growing households, and the committee would examine the situation and consult local police if needed.

Last month, chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung asked the people’s committees of Ba Đình and Tây Hồ districts to clarify and deter violations on illegal dumping along the Red River.

Violations would be prosecuted if needed. Leaders of the localities where violations took place would also have to take responsibility for the problem, he said. — VNS