Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have made progress in curbing trafficcongestion in the last five years with a number of drastic measures,said Dinh La Thang, Transport Minister and Deputy Chairman of theNational Committee for Traffic Safety.
In 2008, theGovernment passed a resolution mapping out comprehensive measures forthe two major cities to address the mounting problem of trafficcongestion, which was fast becoming an urgent social issue causingeconomic loss and disrupting people's lives.
Five years later, while large-scale problems still remain, progress is being made.
Speaking at a meeting on September 11 to summarise the implementationof the resolution, Minister Thang highlighted the opening of more ringroads and flyovers, an increase in traffic police patrols and there-organisation of bus routes and timetables as key measures that haveimpacted positively on the congestion situations in the cities.
During the last five years, the number of traffic jam hotspots reducedfrom 124 to 57 in Hanoi , and from 120 to 76 in HCM City .
The number of traffic accidents and subsequent deathsand injuries decreased yearly and there are now far fewer cases oftraffic congestion which last for over 30 minutes.
Hanoi People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Khoi said that since2008, the city has built more than 372 kilometres of road, raising thepercentage of land for transport from 7 percent of its area to 8.15percent.
Seven flyover bridges, 18 pedestrianoverpasses and more parking areas helped the city to curb traffic jams,he said, while admitting that an imbalance remains between thedevelopment of technical infrastructure and social infrastructure.
He also acknowledged there has been slow progress in relocating universities and hospitals from busy inner-city areas.
Khoi's counterpart in HCM City , Nguyen Huu Tien, said thatover the last two years, the number of traffic jams in the city reducedabout 80 percent. This year, no major traffic congestion has beenreported.
At the meeting, Deputy Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc pointed out major existing traffic problems, includingimproper management over pavement and road use, illegal parking and theoperation of fake taxis.
Phuc urged the two citiesand relevant ministries and agencies to seek more effective measures byimproving planning and embracing technological advancements. He alsonoted the need to engage the private sector more in public passengertransportation.-VNA
In 2008, theGovernment passed a resolution mapping out comprehensive measures forthe two major cities to address the mounting problem of trafficcongestion, which was fast becoming an urgent social issue causingeconomic loss and disrupting people's lives.
Five years later, while large-scale problems still remain, progress is being made.
Speaking at a meeting on September 11 to summarise the implementationof the resolution, Minister Thang highlighted the opening of more ringroads and flyovers, an increase in traffic police patrols and there-organisation of bus routes and timetables as key measures that haveimpacted positively on the congestion situations in the cities.
During the last five years, the number of traffic jam hotspots reducedfrom 124 to 57 in Hanoi , and from 120 to 76 in HCM City .
The number of traffic accidents and subsequent deathsand injuries decreased yearly and there are now far fewer cases oftraffic congestion which last for over 30 minutes.
Hanoi People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Khoi said that since2008, the city has built more than 372 kilometres of road, raising thepercentage of land for transport from 7 percent of its area to 8.15percent.
Seven flyover bridges, 18 pedestrianoverpasses and more parking areas helped the city to curb traffic jams,he said, while admitting that an imbalance remains between thedevelopment of technical infrastructure and social infrastructure.
He also acknowledged there has been slow progress in relocating universities and hospitals from busy inner-city areas.
Khoi's counterpart in HCM City , Nguyen Huu Tien, said thatover the last two years, the number of traffic jams in the city reducedabout 80 percent. This year, no major traffic congestion has beenreported.
At the meeting, Deputy Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc pointed out major existing traffic problems, includingimproper management over pavement and road use, illegal parking and theoperation of fake taxis.
Phuc urged the two citiesand relevant ministries and agencies to seek more effective measures byimproving planning and embracing technological advancements. He alsonoted the need to engage the private sector more in public passengertransportation.-VNA
