The Lak Ke project came as part of a major Hanoi initiative to improve the water drainage system in western Hanoi, beginning construction in December 2015.
It has been approved for adjustments twice in 2019 and 2021, with the cost rising to VND7.47 trillion ($314.8 million) in total.
The project entails two major parts: the construction of the Yen Nghia drainage pump complex, and the reinforcement of the La Khe Channel. In January 2020, the drainage pump complex was approved and Hanoi authorities handed its management to the Nhue River Irrigation Investment and Development company.
The issue is one of many factors in the intense water shortages that have made life miserable for droves of residents in the capital city.
Droughts have also wreaked havoc on the region's water supplies.
And the lack of water has meant days without power for some communities during the summer heat waves.
The pump station has a capacity of 120 m3 per second, the highest among all stations in Hanoi. It is tasked with water drainage for over 6,000 ha of agricultural land, as well as water drainage in Ha Dong, Hoai Duc, Dan Phuong and part of Nam Tu Liem District. The project should have gone into operation at the end of 2022.
However, the station has yet to operate due to low water levels. Even during rainy seasons, only three out of 10 engines at the station have enough water to operate. The La Khe Channel was supposed to bring an abundance of water to the station.
About 2 km away from the pump station, the La Khe Channel section running through Duong Noi Ward can be seen as thoroughly incomplete.
Land clearance issues delayed the construction, as well as the fact that construction had to be delayed during rainy seasons and due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For now, the channel is being prepared to handle the incoming rainy seasons.
Can Thi Viet Ha, chairwoman of the Ha Dong District People's Committee, said over 29 ha of land need to be cleared for the project. So far, 97% of the land had been cleared.
"The land clearance process encountered difficulties because the project has been done across several phases," she said, adding that the land clearance would be completed this year.
Once the land clearance is done, embankments will be built along the channel.
Nguyen Manh Quyen, deputy chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, on July 5 said that although the project had been delayed compared to the original timeline agreed upon with the Hanoi People's Council, all difficulties have been dealt with.
On July 4, locals at an alley of Y Lan Street used vehicles to block the road as they have not agreed with compensation and support policies regarding land clearance.
"Our family does not agree with the construction as we have handed over 90 m2 of land, and as agreed, be compensated VND13 million ($549.68) per square meter. But so far, we have only received VND900 million, or 60% of the compensation money," said Nguyen Thi Loan, 57.
