PM witnesses launch of two big projects in HCM City

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) and other leaders push buttons to launch the flood-controlling project in HCM City. (Source: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 26 attended the groundbreaking ceremonies of two big projects relating to flood control and health in HCM City.

The flood-controlling project aims to shelter 6.5 million people in the downtown area of 570 sq.km from tidal flooding, which is becoming serious with rising sea level and sinking land in the city as consequences of climate change and urbanisation.

At an investment of nearly 10 trillion VND (442.5 million USD), the project will build six big tide-controlling sluices, which still allow boats and ships going through. It also includes the construction of a 7.8 km dyke along Sai Gon River from Vam Thuat to Song Kinh in the phase 1 and 25 small sluices from Vam Thuat to Muong Chuoi.

The project spans across District 1, 4, 7, 8, Nha Be and Binh Chanh districts and around 300 households with 1,500 people will be relocated.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the project has a great significance to development of the city and stressed that the city needs to develop a good infrastructure, particularly flood control facilities, to realise its long-term development goals.

On the same morning, the PM also attended the groundbreaking ceremony on the construction of a new facility in Tan Phu ward, District 9, for the over-loaded Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital.

The 5.85 trillion VND (258.6 million USD) facility will have 1,000 beds, helping ease the pressure on the Oncology Hospital, which has to accommodate a large number of patients that exceeds 170 percent of its capacity at times.

The PM said with the growing number of people with cancer, approximately 150,000 cases a year, the construction of specialised hospitals like this one will meet rising demand for medical examinations and treatment.-VNA