According to the ministry, on June 29, sand extraction will be carried out off the coast of the southern province of Soc Trang and the sand will be used as a filling material for Hau Giang-Ca Mau expressway section from July 1.

The My Thuan Project Management Board under the Ministry of Transport has been assigned to implement and manage the sand extraction.

The Ministry of Transport has asked the ministries of natural resources and environment, agriculture and rural development, science and technology and construction to provide guidance for the sand extraction to ensure environmental regulations.

The Ministry of Transport said that the pilot sea sand use for the Hau Giang-Ca Mau section is a crucial basis to evaluate and expand the use of sea sand as the filling material for other highway projects.

A survey from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported that an area of 32 square kilometres with a total of 45 million cubic metres of sand can be mined for highway projects.