ADB loans to help improve HCMC drainage capacity

By Thu Hang July 8, 2022 | 04:49 pm PT

A section of the Tham Luong - Ben Cat canal in HCMC's District 12. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa

The ADB will loan HCMC more than $582 million for two drainage projects with total investments of VND16.2 trillion ($684 million) to tackle its urban flooding and pollution problems.

One of the projects will renovate the Tham Luong-Ben Cat canal system for VND8.1 trillion, including VND6.7 trillion in preferential loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), VND116 billion in non-refundable aid from foreign organizations, and counterpart funds from the city.

The project aims to prevent flooding and improve drainage capacity for an area of 4,500 hectares in the districts of 12, Go Vap, Binh Thanh and Binh Tan.

Project activities will include dredging the waterway, building concrete embankments and roads that run 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) along the canal, rebuilding or repairing sewer systems, and build docks.

The other project will improve the drainage system in the western part of the city and protect it from flooding triggered by heavy downpours and high tides.

Its investment, also VND8.1 trillion, will include VND6.9 trillion in ADB loans and counterpart funds from the city’s budget.

It will include a system to collect wastewater, a sewer system, and a wastewater treatment plant.

Work is expected to start on both projects in 2023 and be completed in five years.