Hanoi to complete To Lich riverbank facelift by August 30
The city is determined to finish all To Lich River revitalization projects by the end of August, treating it as an important task that requires the efforts of all stakeholders.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People’s Committee has asked the authorities of the wards along the To Lich River to complete the upgrades to the landscape before August 30.
One of the three weirs under construction to help improve water quality on To Lich River. Photo: Kinh Te & Do Thi Newspaper
According to the municipal government, the wards are required to finish key tasks, such as paving sidewalks, installing safety railings, planting trees, and laying grass. Contractors working on sewer outfalls along the river must clean and restore construction areas upon completion.
Local authorities are asked to promote public awareness about keeping the riverbanks clean and properly disposing of waste, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Trong Dong said at a meeting on July 7.
He asked the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment to quickly install trash bins along both banks of the river to promote environmental hygiene.
Dong also instructed relevant agencies to carefully study a plan to replenish the To Lich River with water from West Lake.
Regarding the option of transferring water from the Red River to both the West Lake and the To Lich River, Dong emphasized the need for a strict cost assessment, as well as an evaluation of investment, operational efficiency, and maintenance expenses.
He added that water samples must be thoroughly tested to avoid negative impacts on the lake's hydrology and water quality.
Nguyen Phi Thuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction, said Phase 1 of the project to dredge mud and soil from a 7 km section of the river from Hoang Quoc Viet Road to the Khuong Dinh Bridge has been completed, with a total volume dredged of about 50,000m3.
Phase 2 will entail dredging an additional 11,800 cubic meters of sludge along a 5-kilometer section from Khuong Dinh Bridge to Long Quang Pagoda by August 2025.
The department has connected 19 of the 63 sewer outflows along the river to the collection system, covering the area from Hoang Quoc Viet Road to the weirs. The remaining 42 outfalls are expected to be connected by the end of July 2025, and surface restoration will follow in August.
In addition, a project has been proposed to link the remaining 70 outflows from the weirs to the junction of the To Lich and Nhue rivers to direct wastewater to the Yen Xa treatment facility.
As part of the landscaping plan, contractors will maintain ornamental plants, greenery, and grass along the riverbanks and on Lang Road, which runs parallel to the To Lich River.
The To Lich River has long been tied to the historical development of Hanoi. However, rapid urbanization has severely polluted the river.
Several measures have been introduced to restore the river's vitality, including the construction of the Yen Xa treatment facility, which collects and cleans wastewater from the surrounding area.
To provide additional water for the river, Hanoi is building three weirs designed to regulate water levels, prevent drying, and improve circulation. These structures are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
