PM Chính attends groundbreaking ceremony for two transport infrastructure projects in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Work on ring road No 4 connecting Hà Nội and two provinces of Hưng Yên and Bắc Ninh started on Sunday, at a ceremony with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and leaders of the government and local authorities.

The ring road will stretch 112 km with total investment of VNĐ85 trillion (US$3.62 billion), connecting three localities in the northern region.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday in Hoài Đức District in Hà Nội, PM Chính highlighted that investment in infrastructure has been identified as one of the three strategic pillars of socio-economic development.

Noting that this is a crucial task, PM Chính said the National Assembly approved a target to have at least 5,000 km of highway by 2030 and the figure is 3,000km by 2025.

The launch of ring road No 4, along with other projects in progress, will help us achieve the 2025 goal if they are implemented on schedule, he said.

Though ring road No 4 was approved just a year ago, Hà Nội, Bắc Ninh and Hưng Yên have cleared about 80 per cent of land needed for the project, which is a great effort, he said.

Workers are ready for the groundbreaking of ring road No 4 in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

The PM requested relevant authorities to carry out site clearance and relocation to ensure the handover of 100 per cent of the ground area in the third quarter of 2023 or no later than December 31 this year.

Localities must pay special attention to resettlement, and support for affected households to stabilise their lives and production activities so that people have new places, new jobs and new livelihoods that are at least equal to or better than the old ones.

This is a consistent stance of the Party (on this issue), he said.

PM Chính also expressed his hope that people who have their land recovered for the project would continue to support the master plan of the Party and the State as well as create conditions for localities and investors and contractors to implement the project effectively, safely, and with a high quality.

He also requested project consultants to uphold their responsibility and conduct regular checks and monitoring to ensure the safety, quality and progress of the project.

The leader also highlighted that transport infrastructure development is the first and foremost political task of all localities, ministries and agencies to serve the practical interest of the localities and the entire country.

He noted two crucial elements to ensure the success of a project which are sufficient resources and a qualified construction site. He also stressed requirements that need to be adhered to include ensuring quality; ensuring progress, safety, environment and beauty; avoiding overuse of capital; preventing corruption and group interest at all stages.

It is also important to ensure harmony of interests of the government, people and businesses as well as handle all violations and inefficiencies when they arise, he said.

At the same event, PM Chính and delegates also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cao Lãnh-An Hữu highway that connects the two southern provinces of Đồng Tháp and Tiền Giang. The highway covers more than 27 km with investment of nearly VNĐ6 trillion. — VNS