Work to widen a road between Dong Tau - Tam Trinh Urban Area and the Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway began in 2019, and is expected to be completed in July.
Hundreds of houses on both sides of the road in Thinh Liet Ward have been partially demolished.
The 1.9-kilometer street is now 30 meters wide.
Thanks to the widening, now around 10 houses on the street that are 2-9 meters wide are less than a meter deep.
This house used to measure more than 47 square meters, but is now only 17 sq.m.
“My family willingly handed over the site for the project, but as I have no other place to live, I have no choice but fix what is left of the house and continue to stay here,” Phan Trong Khanh, its owner, said.
Khanh’s house is nine meters wide but three meters deep on one side and just a few centimeters on the other.
Le Thi Thanh Nga, vice chairwoman of Thinh Liet Ward, said Khanh’s family is not in the resettlement list.
She said local authorities would help merge his house with the neighbor’s in a way that ensures privacy for both families.
Khanh lives in the house with his wife.
“My wife and I are jobless and so I really hope to receive help from the authorities,” he said.
A triangular house that measures 19 sq.m.
According to Thinh Liet Ward authorities, there are families who have agreed to merge their houses with others to make use of all the space left between houses.
A piece of land that is covered by iron sheets by its owner.
The plot of land is too small to get permission for construction.
Article 121 of the 2003 Construction Law forbids construction of houses less than 15 square meters.
Construction of the road is wrapping up. It cost VND500 billion (US$21.26 million) and is funded by the government.
Once finished, the road will offer locals another option to reach the inner city and ease traffic in the city’s southern gateway.
