The HCM City Department of Traffic will suspend projects or revoke construction permits for units that repeatedly violate regulations related to construction works on roads.—  Photo nld.vn

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Traffic will suspend projects or revoke construction permits for units that repeatedly violate regulations related to construction works on roads.

As of October, the city had 135 works under construction near or on 60 roads, an increase of 34 construction projects compared to September.

At Phan Văn Hớn and National Highway No 1A intersection in District 12, the construction project blocks half of the road, interfering with traffic flow.

Meanwhile, five construction works exist along 1km of Bến Vân Đồn Street in District 4 next to the Tàu Hủ canal. All of them block more than half of the road surface and make it difficult for vehicles to travel.

According to the department, investors and contractors have not strictly complied with the department's regulations on works on roads.

Since the beginning of the year, inspectors have handled 778 violations with total fines of more than VNĐ 5.2 trillion (US$224 million).

This includes 221 cases with total fines of more than VNĐ1.2 billion ($51,800) that failed to clear signs, barriers or construction equipment, and failed to return the road to its original state.

The city’s department has directed investors to follow regulations and direct their contractors to comply with the rules.

The department will strictly handle units that regularly repeat violations by revoking their construction permits or suspending construction.

Construction units which do not have enough facilities or plans that meet city requirements will not be licensed.

Engineer Hà Ngọc Trường, head of the Railway and Metro Department of the HCM City University of Transport, told Thanh Niên (Young People) newspaper that contractors' sites have more equipment and vehicles than are really needed. This damages road surfaces and makes it difficult for construction units to return the road to its original condition.

According to Tường, construction units must use underground drilling technologies, which take less construction time and do not affect traffic flow. — VNS