Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 16 sent a letter commending the determination and strong sense of responsibility of agencies and units in urgently building a pontoon bridge across the Lo river in Phu Tho province to promptly serve people’s travel demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2026.
The letter was dispatched to the Minister of National Defence, the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Tho province, and the Commander of the Engineer Corps.
According to feedback from residents and the press, the serious deterioration of the Lo river bridge in Doan Hung commune had caused difficulties for people traveling in the area. On February 14, the Prime Minister convened a meeting on measures to address the damage to the bridge, and assigned the Minister of National Defence to direct relevant units and forces to coordinate with Phu Tho in urgently organising the construction of a pontoon bridge across the river to promptly serve people’s travel during Tet and support socio-economic development while awaiting the repair of the old bridge and the preparation for investment in a new Lo river bridge in accordance with the approved planning.
Only a few hours after receiving the leader’s direction, the Defence Minister directed the Engineer Corps and relevant agencies and units to urgently conduct surveys and construction in coordination with the provincial People’s Committee. The installation of the pontoon bridge was completed and opened to traffic on the morning of February 16, or the last day of the Year of the Snake, earlier than required, thus bringing joy, excitement and happiness to local residents.
PM Chinh acknowledged, appreciated and commended the strong determination, high sense of responsibility and “lightning-fast” implementation by the Ministry of National Defence, the Engineer Corps and related agencies and units, which closely coordinated with Party committees, authorities and people of Phu Tho province to successfully fulfill the assigned task.
He requested the Defence Minister to proactively and promptly reward and propose appropriate forms of commendation for the Engineer Corps Command and relevant units, organisations and individuals in accordance with regulations; and to continue directing agencies and units to uphold a high sense of responsibility and closely coordinate with Phu Tho to ensure absolute safety and smooth traffic across the pontoon bridge, especially during the Lunar New Year holiday.
He also requested the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee to urgently complete the necessary procedures to soon commence construction of the new Lo river bridge in line with the conclusions reached at the meeting on February 14./.
VNA
