Removing “Bottlenecks” in Site Clearance to Accelerate Socio-Economic Projects for Da River Resettlers

On March 25, a working delegation from the Provincial People’s Committee, led by Vice Chairman Dinh Cong Su, conducted a field inspection to urge the progress of settlement and socio-economic development projects for the Da River relocation areas. These projects are currently managed by the Hoa Binh Regional Project Management Board (PMB).

Vice Chairman Dinh Cong Su and the delegation hear a progress report from the leadership of Thung Nai Commune.

Challenges in Compensation and Site Clearance According to the Hoa Binh Regional PMB, while contractors are actively working in areas where land has been handed over—with some items reaching nearly 100% completion—three major projects are facing significant hurdles. The primary “bottleneck” remains compensation, support, and site clearance (SRC).

A notable case is the inter-commune road project from Thung Hamlet (Muong Hoa Commune) to Dai Hamlet (Thung Nai Commune). To date, only 2.3 km out of 6.428 km has been handed over to the contractor. Approximately 75% of the total required area (9.8 out of 13.13 hectares) lacks an approved compensation plan due to a lack of consensus among local residents. Although the project has been extended until the end of 2026, it risks further delays if these issues are not resolved promptly.

Similarly, the Vay Nua – Tien Phong road upgrade has only reached 33.7% of its construction volume. Despite the site being largely handed over, dozens of households in Da Bac and Tien Phong communes have yet to finalize compensation procedures. Intermittent uncleared spots have created “staggered” construction sites, hindering overall progress. Furthermore, the contractor has been noted for failing to deploy sufficient personnel and machinery as committed.

Technical and Administrative Obstacles For the Phu Cuong – Go Lao axis road, progress stands at approximately 30%. This project has faced complications due to administrative restructuring, changes in ownership, and a shortage of specialized local personnel. Verifying land origins is also difficult, as many households lack land-use certificates or the owners are working far from the locality. Rising costs of fuel and construction materials, alongside delayed telecommunication infrastructure relocation, have further impacted the timeline.

Conversely, projects such as the Na Bo – Cai Hamlet route and the Nanh Nghe road upgrade are nearly complete (98-100%) and are currently in the final handover phase, despite minor issues like landslide risks from storms or pending supplementary compensation.

Directives for 2026 Completion Following the inspection, Vice Chairman Dinh Cong Su acknowledged the efforts in cleared areas but criticized the overall inconsistent progress. He directed the Hoa Binh Regional PMB to coordinate closely with local authorities to pressure contractors into accelerating their work.

To ensure the completion of all projects within 2026, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee requested local authorities and the Hoa Binh Regional Project Management Board to drastically direct site clearance efforts. This includes the urgent finalization of dossiers and the approval of compensation plans, alongside intensified public advocacy to build community consensus.

Relevant departments and sectors must promptly advise on determining specific land prices and resolve obstacles in mechanisms and policies to accelerate progress and enhance public investment efficiency. For projects where land has been handed over, units must concentrate all available manpower, equipment, and machinery to speed up construction and meet the required schedule.

Regarding proposals related to resettlement funding and compensation payments, the Provincial People’s Committee will review and allocate resources in accordance with the practical needs of each project.

Manh Hung