Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính looks at the map of the road connecting Hoà Bình Province and Hà Nội and an expressway from Hoà Bình to Mộc Châu District in neighbouring Sơn La Province. VNA/NS Photo Dương Giang

HÒA BÌNH — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính yesterday ordered the launch of construction on a road connecting Hoà Bình Province and Hà Nội and an expressway from Hoà Bình to Mộc Châu District in neighbouring Sơn La Province.

The road has a length of about 50 kilometres, with total investment of more than VNĐ4.12 trillion (US$173.14 million). It is scheduled to open to traffic in 2027.

According to the Hoà Bình provincial People’s Committee, so far, the province has completed the mapping of the whole road and handed over the ground in some parts of the project to contractors.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Chinh lauded Hoà Bình's efforts in expanding its transport infrastructure system with the construction of this road.

However, he said the cost of the project is high, and its implementation time of five years is too long. He asked the province, investors and contractors to reconsider the design of the road to ensure it meets the standards of an expressway. They were also requested to shorten the time of construction by speeding up site clearance.

He called for local residents' support of the implementation of the project, and asked the local Party Committee and administration to show strong performance in compensation and resettlement for the affected community.

The project management board should work hard to remove difficulties facing contractors and affected households, while contractors and consulting agencies should make sure that the project meets the criteria in progress and quality without any corruption and wastefulness.

It is necessary to focus resources on the project and strive to get it completed ahead of schedule, he said, expressing the belief that once finished, the project will contribute to the comprehensive growth of Hoà Bình as well as regional localities and the nation as a whole.

Earlier on February 25, PM Chính offered incense to President Hồ Chí Minh, and inspected the Hoà Bình Hydropower Plant's expansion project.

Paying tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh at his 18m-high statue which is located on a hill 186m above sea level, looking to the Hoà Bình Hydropower Plant, PM Chính showed respect and gratitude towards the late leader for his devotion to the national liberation and the happiness of people around the world.

The PM then examined the expansion of the Hoà Bình Hydropower Plant, which has two turbines with a combined designed capacity of 480MW and total investment of over VNĐ9.22 trillion ($387.47 million).

Once completed, the plant will have a total capacity of 2,400MW.

Construction of the project started on January 10, 2021, but was suspended ten months later due to erosion. The work resumed in late 2022, and is expected to finish in July 2025.

PM Chính underlined the significance of the project, asking contractors to ensure its progress, quality and safety, while protecting the environment.

He requested Hoà Bình coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the investor, Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to solve problems and ensure the progress of the project.

Later the same day, PM Chính visited and presented gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyễn Thi Chố in Hoà Bình Commune of Hoà Bình City.

The Government leader also visited the social housing area at Quỳnh Lâm ward of Hoà Bình City. The 1.3-hectare area has three apartment buildings, each with 15 stories. Built at a cost of nearly VNĐ700 billion, the project has nearly 800 flats.

He asked the administration at all levels, as well as sectors in Hoà Bình to focus on developing social housing projects for low-income households, especially workers at industrial parks. — VNS