HÀ NỘI -- Piles of rubbish illegally dumped on streets and pavements have been seen along the Lừ River in capital city of Hà Nội. 

The problem has attracted attention from the public and local government, and prompted calls for tougher regulations.

"I have to hold my breath when I walk by the river, especially on sunny days, because of the terrible smell", said Nguyễn Thị Quyên, 56, who lives in Định Công Ward, Hà Nội’s Hoàng Mai District.

"On rainy days, the waste flows on to streets, even near houses," she told Lao Động (Labour) newspaper.

According to Nguyễn Quang Sơn, deputy chairman of Kim Liên Ward’s People’s Committee, Đống Đa District, the illegal dumping of household and building waste along the Lừ River was difficult to tackle as the route passed through four wards, namely Kim Liên, Phương Mai, Phương Liệt and Định Công, in four different districts.

Some residents have taken advantage of loose management by local authorities to dump illegally, he said.

Nguyễn Xuân Quý, from Định Công Ward, said the dumping had been happening along the Lừ River for the past few years.

Quý attributed the situation to the fact that the route was under construction.

The waste was sneakily dumped by building companies and individuals late at night or early in the morning, he said.

"I once saw a truck leave broken bricks and concrete in front of my house late at night. When I screamed, the driver fled," Quý said.

Phùng Anh Minh, deputy chairman of Phương Mai Ward’s People’s Commitee in Đống Đa District, said it was hard to locate the source of waste since most of it was dumped at night.

He also blamed the situation on low speed of land clearance which resulted in a number of households living at the site. 

Earlier in May, Phương Mai Ward’s People’s Committee co-ordinated with the construction unit to transport a large quantity of waste but illegal waste dumping returned soon after.

Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, deputy director of Hà Nội Urban Environment One Member Co Ltd’s Đống Đa branch, said the route along the Lừ River was being upgraded.

Domestic waste on the route, particularly the section belonging to Đống Đa District, was collected by the company’s staff every day, he said.

However, he said, local residents dumped household waste and building waste along the Lừ Riverside illegally.

As soon as complaints about piles of waste were reported by local newspapers, the company assigned staff to deal with household waste, Tuấn said.

Local authorities had asked competent agencies to speed up the upgrading of the route so that it would become operational soon, Minh said. -- VNS