On October 13, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a working delegation inspected the progress of the Ho Chi Minh City project to address tidal flooding while taking climate change into account. Its first phase has an investment of nearly VND 10 trillion.
Nguyen Tam Thinh, chairman of Trung Nam Group's board of directors, briefed Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during the inspection. He said the project was about 97% complete. Contractors have concentrated personnel and equipment at the site and are working around the clock to finish the remaining items by November 15. The project is expected to begin operations at the end of this year.
After the facility begins operating, Trung Nam Group will provide a five-year warranty.
The project has fallen behind schedule several times because of legal obstacles. The relevant units are now speeding up construction and completing the remaining work so the facility can be put into use to protect the city from flooding.
Once completed, the facility will help hold back tidal waters and control flooding in central districts and downtown Ho Chi Minh City. It will also help the city respond to climate change, regulate and lower water levels in its rivers, canals and streams, and improve rainwater drainage.
The project will also increase water storage capacity during heavy rain combined with high tides, reduce pressure on the existing drainage system, limit saltwater intrusion, and improve the condition of waterways and the urban landscape.
The project will benefit many wards in the central and southern parts of the city, as well as the communes of Nha Be, Hiep Phuoc, Tan Nhut, Binh Chanh, Hung Long and Binh Hung.
At the construction site, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said the project was important to the lives of more than 6.5 million city residents. He recalled the position stated at a June meeting between the government and the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and confirmed that the goal of completing the facility in 2026 would not change.
After a full inspection and trial operation in November, the project is expected to be officially handed over. It is intended to help control tidal flooding across 570 square kilometers on the right bank of the Saigon River and in central Ho Chi Minh City.
Sources: Thanh Niên
