Hanoi: Traffic jams to be solved by 2010

VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi Department of Transportation Director Nguyen Quoc Hung affirmed that by 2010 traffic jams would not be a problem in Hanoi.

Traffic jams have become more serious in Hanoi recently. What is your opinion, especially since the city’s expansion?

In my opinion, there are many reasons for this, but the major ones are poor transport facilities, the fast increase of vehicles and poor awareness of people. Just one incident can cause a traffic jam.

Only two motorbikes changing direction on a street can create traffic disorder. Then other people don’t obey traffic signals and traffic controllers. Everyone tries to find their own way, resulting in traffic jams.

Besides these reasons, traffic jams may be caused by the lethargy and irresponsibility of government agencies. For example, a pot-hole or an unfixed electric pole can also cause traffic jams. What do you think about this?

I can’t say that these things cause traffic jams, but they are dangerous for traffic participants. Whenever these cases are reported, we have to fix them immediately. However, this job has to comply with regulations so it takes a certain amount of time.

The public is worried that next year, when Hanoi organises the great 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, traffic jams will be more serious. What is your viewpoint?

Some transport works to celebrate the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi will be inaugurated in late 2009 and early 2010 and they will help deal with traffic jams.

In the first half of 2009, the Hanoi Department of Transport has begun re-structuring traffic on some major roads like Giai Phong, Tran Khat Chan, Voi Phuc-Kim Ma, Tran Duy Hung-Nguyen Chi Thanh to restrict traffic jams. In early June we will complete this work.

We are determined to eradicate traffic jams between now and 2010.