In the evening of December 04, the PM had a meeting with the leaders of MoT, relevant ministries and departments and Tien Giang province to find out the solutions for Cai Lay toll station.
According to Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The, Cai Lay town bypass is one of 88 routes built in the form of BOT (Build-operate-transfer). These are the projects constructed under resolution No.13 of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and resolution No.108 of the Government on the mobilization of social resources to modernize transport infrastructure.
The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the State Audit have inspected Cay Lay project. Currently, MoT’s Inspectorate is also carrying out the inspection of this project under the PM’s direction.
Under the PM’s direction, MoT has submitted three solutions to the Cai Lay town bypass. After reviewing comments on these solutions, PM has decided to suspend Cai Lay toll station for one – two months.
The PM emphasized that issues, which are in compliance with the law and procedures but do not satisfy the people, should be carefully reviewed. The PM also affirmed that the construction of transport infrastructure in the BOT form is proper policy and this form still needs to be applied to build modern transport infrastructure system.
Accordingly, relevant ministries and departments must give strict punishment to organizations and individuals doing violations while MoT is finalizing the final solution to be submitted to the Government for decision.
Furthermore, the rate of fees and location of the toll station should be reviewed to both ensure the benefits of the people and promote the BOT projects. Economic issues must not be turned into social unrest.
After the Government decides the final solution to Cai Lay toll station, MoT and the Ministry of Information and Communications will hold a press conference to publicize the solution.
Cai Lay toll station has recently attracted the public attention. Drivers were giving small change when they paid toll fees at the toll station, causing the horrible traffic jam and resulting in difficulties for fee collectors.
Previously, some of drivers were putting small change in plastic bottles when paying fees at the toll station.
The drivers’ actions were to voice their disagreement with the wrong placement of and the high fee at the toll station that has officially begun operation since last August 01. The fee is VND35,000 -180,000 (equivalent to US$1.5 - 8) each time for a 12-km road.
On November 30, Cai Lay toll station resumed operation after a three-month halt. Drivers still continued opposing the toll station and used small change to pay toll, forcing the investor to thrice open the gate for vehicles to travel through free.
