A toll booth on the Long Thành- Dầu Giây Expressway. The Ministry of Transport has asked investors of BOT toll booths to remove their barriers in case of traffic congestion during the upcoming public holidays for Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1). — VNA/VNS Photo Sỹ Tuyên

HÀ NỘI — Toll booths have been asked to remove their barriers in case of traffic congestion during the upcoming public holiday for Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1).

The request was made by the Ministry of Transport to ensure traffic safety and deal with high travel demand during the holiday.

Under the written document, the ministry asked the Directorate for Roads of Viet Nam to direct related agencies and investors of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects to implement effective measures to ensure the continuous operation of toll booths to prevent traffic congestion.

To create favourable conditions for road users, the management boards of toll booths have been ordered to open gates for free in case of heavy congestion.

The ministry asked agencies under its leadership to regularly inspect the transport service, ensuring order and safety during the holidays. They were also ordered to announce hotlines on mass media to receive feedback from local residents on traffic and co-ordinate with authorities in resolving incidents.

Traffic departments in localities were also ordered to improve capacity, ensuring the safety and quality of passenger transport services to meet high demand, especially the routes connecting Hà Nội and HCM City, tourism sites, recreation centres and traffic hubs.

Transport units were asked to comply with traffic regulations, preventing accidents on steep roads and railway level crossings and strictly deal with violations, particularly those relating to speed, carrying more passenger than allowed or illegally increasing toll fees.

Port authorities were requested to co-ordinate with local government to regulate traffic activities in areas with a high number of boats. Punishments should be imposed on any individuals or agencies violating regulations, especially transporting passengers from mainland to islands during unfavourable weather.

In celebration of Reunification Day and International Labour Day, Vietnamese people will enjoy a five-day public holiday from April 27 to May 1. During this time, the traffic influx from and to Hà Nội and HCM City is expected to increase sharply, putting huge pressure on traffic infrastructure and raising the risk of accidents. — VNS