Over 4.3 hectares of agricultural land in Hanoi's Me Tri Ward has been illegally occupied for years.
Illegal warehouses and facilities openly operate
Investigations by Dantri/Dtinews revealed that individuals have unlawfully constructed warehouses, scrap yards, weigh stations, workshops, businesses, garages, and football fields on over 4.3 hectares of agricultural land in Me Tri Ward in Nam Tu Liem District. Despite this violation occurring for years, local authorities have not taken decisive action.
Residents near the area reported that local people had leased their agricultural plots to intermediaries, who then sublet them for business operations, storage facilities, and sports fields.
Nguyen Cuong, a resident, noted that since these illegal structures appeared, the area has frequently experienced fires. The most recent incident occurred at a scrap warehouse in the early hours of March 11, with multiple explosions, causing significant alarm among residents.
Nguyen Cong Phuong, a regular commuter in the area, expressed frustration over the worsening traffic congestion. "During peak hours, the roads are already packed, yet large trucks constantly enter and exit these illegally occupied sites for repairs and goods transportation, making the situation even worse," he said.
The Me Tri agricultural land has been designated to construct headquarters for central government ministries and agencies. However, no development has taken place to date.
At the end of May 2023, the Hanoi People's Committee issued a directive to strengthen inspections and enforcement against agricultural land management and use violations.
According to the committee, only around 50 percent of these violations have been addressed since 2018. New illegal activities continue to emerge in some areas without timely intervention, sparking public concern.
Me Tri Ward authorities bear primary responsibility
Individuals have unlawfully constructed warehouses, scrap yards, weigh stations, workshops, businesses, garages, and football fields on agricultural land.
An inspector from the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment stated that the primary responsibility for managing agricultural land in Me Tri Ward lies with the ward's chairman.
"The local government is fully aware of every plot of land in its jurisdiction, so it is impossible for them not to know that hectares of agricultural land have been illegally occupied. The first person accountable is the chairman of Me Tri Ward, followed by the Urban Order Management Team and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment," the official commented.
Multiple violations, yet only internal reviews
According to a Nam Tu Liem District People's Committee report, an administrative inspection was conducted in 2022 to assess the management and use of agricultural land along Cuong Kien Street, Me Tri Ward, from April 2014 to late 2024.
The inspection concluded that the Me Tri Ward People's Committee had committed violations and recommended accountability measures, yet only issued an internal review.
Additionally, six individuals received disciplinary action through internal review, two were reprimanded, and three were given official warnings.
