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HCM City to relocate over 5,000 houses from rivers and canals

HCM City aims to relocate 5,102 houses which lie along some rivers and canals in an attempt to address environmental pollution in these areas by 2025.

HCM City to relocate over 5,000 houses from rivers and canals - 1

An overview of the Xuyen Tam Canal in HCM City

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, Head of the municipal Construction Department's Office, Ly Thanh Long, admitted that the project to improve the environment along HCM City rivers and canals is facing slow progress. 

"Although the project targeted at relocating a total of over 6,000 houses between 2021-2025, only 1,149 of them have been done so far," the official said. "The slow progress is mainly caused by compensation issues. We've proposed to the municipal People's Committee and the Department of Planning and Investment to allocate more funding for compensation and site clearance work."

Long said that they would have to try to relocate the remaining 5,102 houses including 2,215 along the Xuyen Tam Canal by the end of next year.

HCM City has five main canals running over 105 kilometres, which help drain water for 14,200 hectares.

HCM City to relocate over 5,000 houses from rivers and canals - 2

Homes and rubbish have blocked water flows, causing serious pollution. 

According to the department, poor housing has infringed on and contributed to the pollution affecting several of the local canals.