Democracy key for Hanoi to address the bottleneck in public investment

Democracy is considered a key factor for Hanoi to address bottlenecks in public investment projects, especially in the site clearance process.

Head of the Commission for Mass Mobilization under the Hanoi Party Committee Do Anh Tuan at the conference. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Head of the Commission for Mass Mobilization under the Hanoi Party Committee Do Anh Tuan stressed the view during a conference on November 24.

According to Tuan, the effective site clearance process holds significant meaning for Hanoi in realizing socio-economic objectives, including the target of promoting a modern urban infrastructure system and transforming the capital into a modern and civilized city with high competitiveness in the region and on the international stage.

In this regard, Tuan said Hanoi has been among the leading cities in Vietnam adopting democratic principles in site clearance, urban, and tax management.

Tuan noted the adoption of democratic principles in site clearance would further raise the responsibilities of public agencies and the obligation of affected households subject to land requisition.

“Such a process would help ensure the lawful rights of the people and for the authorities to timely address their complaints. This would later create a public consensus toward the completion of the site clearance works and accelerate the city’s urban infrastructure development,” Tuan said.

During the 2015-2020 period, the effective site clearance works helped complete major transport projects in the city, including the Nhat Tan – Noi Bai road, the extension national road No.5, Nhat Tan bridge, the Vinh Tuy bridge, the Vinh Thinh bridge, and the Terminal 2 of the Noi Bai Airport.

The resolution of the Hanoi People’s Council in its third session set a list of 2,497 projects with a total land area of 8,523 hectares subject to land requisition.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Le Hong Son.

The site clearance is particularly significant for Hanoi’s upcoming Ring Road No.4 project, which is scheduled for construction next June.

“The project is essential for Hanoi to expand its development space and address the overloaded infrastructure in the downtown area. Once completed, it would further boost inter-provincial linkage and create breakthroughs in the socio-economic development of Hanoi and neighboring cities,” Tuan added.

Regarding democracy in the site clearance process, especially in the Ring Road No.4 project, the Vice Chairman of the Thuong Tin District People’s Committee Bui Cong Than highlighted the necessity for the authorities to ensure transparency, publicity, and constructive discussion during their negotiations with the people.

Then said the district has set up a steering committee and nine task forces to raise public awareness of the project’s legal status, as well as the benefits and obligations of households under the project area.

“An effective democracy implementation helped convince locals to voluntarily relocate 30%  of the 5,000 tombs out of the project area. This is the important prerequisite for Thuong Tin to complete the site clearance task next July,” Than said.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son stressed the necessity to promote efficiency in site clearance, as this is directly related to the benefits of the people and their sacrifice for the development of the city.

“Under Hanoi’s development objectives until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the city puts priority in urban infrastructure projects, and therefore,  the people’s interests during the site clearance process would no doubt be affected,” Son said.

"It is essential that the authorities raise their sense of responsibility and dedication in their jobs, which contributes to improving citizens' trust in local government," he added.