Millions of US dollars were invested in the construction of tunnels in Hanoi for the safety of pedestrians but they are unused or become sleeping places for homeless people, garbage dumps or private shops.

Hanoi has around 20 tunnels on Pham Hung, Khuat Duy Tien, Kim Lien and Nga Tu So roads. The construction of tunnels on Pham Hung road began in 2002, at the cost of VND2.5 to VND3 billion ($120,000-$200,000) each. Some tunnels opened for public in March 2007.

However, the four tunnels on Pham Hung road are very quiet because pedestrians prefer crossing the road rather than using the tunnels.

A local woman said that she didn’t want to pass the tunnels because they were very smelly and they are home of drug addicts or robbers.

Some tunnels, which are not opened for public, have been used by local people as their homes or storage space.

A tunnel on Pham Hung Road has become a tea shop and the home for the tunnel builders.

Some tunnels are locked or become a garbage dump.

The most beautiful tunnel is the one on Nga Tu So road. However, with 12 doors and dozens of signposts, it has become a maze.

The woman who sells tea at the tunnel door said some pedestrians entered the tunnel and then went back because they were confused by the signposts.

Luu Tuan Cuong, an official from the Thang Long project management unit, in charge of tunnel projects in Hanoi, said that some tunnels will be opened for public very soon.

Cuong explained that before the tunnels are handed over to the Hanoi Department of Transport, they are locked to protect the equipment inside the tunnels.

Nguyen Xuan Tan, vice director of Hanoi Department of Transport, said that after the Thang Long project management unit hands over the tunnels, his department will quickly install signposts and open the tunnels.

Tan also confirmed that tunnels that are occupied illegally will be checked and cleared.

PV