KHÁNH HÒA Khánh Hòa People's Committee has just assigned the Development Projects Management Board of Khánh Hòa province to be the investor of the Diên Khánh ancient citadel repairs.

The project is set to cost nearly VNĐ167 billion (over US$6,5 million) and is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The project has an investment scale of 12 categories, including the restoration and preservation of the original earth area of the citadel, of 2,500 square metres, the top of the citadel which is more than four metres wide and the paved walkway which is 2.6 metres wide.

The citadel construction will include repairing roads running close to the citadel, an arch bridge spanning the moat, renovating small parks, embellishing bridges at the city gates, dredging and clearing trenches and waterproofing.

According to the leaders of Diên Khánh district People's Committee, the total land area of the Diên Khánh ancient citadel is more than 251,768 square metres. The project will clear about 55,451 square metres of ancient citadel land, more than 39,000 square metres of land for union organisations and more than 105,250 square metres of land currently used by households.

Built in 1793, Diên Khánh citadel is now overgrown with trees. File Photo

After the project investor hands over the landmark pile, the locality will clear the site for the construction unit to begin their work.

Nguyễn Thanh Hiến - Director of Khánh Hòa Development Project Management Board - said that the project now has a draft drawing design and verification is underway.

At the same time, the management board has submitted plans to the Department of Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) for comments.

Regarding site clearance compensation, the consulting unit is making a map inspection report to submit to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for appraisal.

After that, the board will work with the Land Fund Development Center and Diên Khánh District People's Committee to issue a decision on land recovery and carry out compensation and site clearance for the project.

The board is also expected to organise contractor selection by September this year.

"The design step has been submitted to the Department of Heritage for appraisal because this is a national historical relic, the renovation must be based on the principle of preserving the original value," Mr Hiến said. VNS