After inspecting investment projects in expanded Hanoi, the city will “check the health of investors”, said Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Phi Thai Binh.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Phi Thai Binh.

Hanoi officials to explain controversial projects

Binh reported to the Hanoi People’s Council that under the prime minister’s assignment, the city authorities and the Ministry of Construction reviewed 744 construction plans and investment projects, totalling more than 75,000ha of land. Half of them are real estate projects.

The official said that the Hanoi People’s Committee will make public the inspection results of construction plans and investment projects in expanded Hanoi in June.

A deputy of the Hanoi People’s Council, Pham Thi Loan, asked: “What criteria will the city apply to determine which projects will be implemented, which will be amended and which brought to an end?”

Other questions are: As the city doesn’t have a comprehensive construction plan yet, what will be the foundation for it to licence projects? How will the city compensate investors for projects that will be halted?

Binh cited a specific example. An investor was licenced to implement a project that uses land along a road in Ha Tay. If the city wants to keep its green belt, this project will no longer be suitable and it will be cancelled.

“For compensation, the investor will receive projects in areas that are appropriate to the general land use plan. The city will also consider refunding investment expenditures to the investor,” Binh said.

Deputy Ngo Van Ny is worried about the many idle projects wasting land. “While a vast area of land is unused, many people who have lost their land don’t have jobs,” Ny said.

“Some investors have been allocated land but they don’t use it. All projects that are not carried out on schedule will be revoked,” Binh confirmed.

The Party Chief of Quoc Oai district, Do Van Quang, reported that up to 16 projects have to adjust their scales at the request of the Ministry of Construction and four will not be allowed to kick-off until Hanoi issues a comprehensive plan.

Vice Chairman Phi Thai Binh said that the Construction Ministry has a list of projects for reference. The official list will be released in June. “We will go to districts to specifically review the situation to make decisions on which projects will continue, which will be amended and which will be cancelled,” Binh said.

Hanoi Chairman Phan The Thao confirmed that projects in the city’s green belt will be halted. Those that are located in areas set to become residential areas will continue. However, their scales may be adjusted. Projects regarding which it is not clear if they will continue or be halted will be temporarily halted.

The Ministry of Construction plans to submit to the government the 1^st draft construction plan for Hanoi in May. The ministry and Hanoi will make a final check on it and make it public in June.

VA