Delayed drainage project troubles Saigon residents

Stretching more than two kilometers, a drainage project on Nguyen Van Cong Street in Go Vap has dragged on since its groundbreaking in early 2021. The project is designed to save the street from flooding from high tides and rains.

Costing VND60 billion ($2,600), the project was set to be finished after one year but at the present, it is still nowhere near completion.

The situation has impacted residents, with some having had to suspend their business operations.

A pile of discarded construction steel in front what used to be a diner.

"My family has ceased doing business for over two months now. We've have taken this opportunity to lift the house's foundation," said Le Thi Kim Dao, 60, who runs an eatery.

"The road is muddy, messy, and our facade is blocked by all kinds of obstacles, so there is no way for me to do business. Many of my neighbors have temporarily moved elsewhere."

Duc places a wooden plank in front of his house to move his motorbike out.

Two sewers with a diameter of over one meter block several coffee shops that also provide motorbike and car washing service.

A man looks out from one such shop.

Hoang, owner of one othe shops, said: "Last year I couldn't do business due to the pandemic and this year I must deal with this. My shop used to wash 40 bikes per day in the past but now, we receive only five per day at most. Our profit is just enough to cover power and water bills."

A construction pit next to a grocery store.

Many parts of the project encroach onto the street, posing danger to residents.

The construction site leaves just enough space for one motorbike to pass.

The drainage project is invested by the Construction Investment Project Management Board of Go Vap District. According to the contractor, the project was delayed mainly due to the impacts of Covid-19.

The project management board said it has urged and warned the contractor to speed up the project so it will be completed by the end of this year.