HCM City urges limitations on business to reduce traffic

The Ho Chi Minh City Transport Department has urged local authorities to limit the number of businesses on the city's 115 most crowded streets to curb traffic congestion.

These streets, which contain a high density of high-rise buildings and buildings under construction, are lined with foreign language schools, supermarkets and restaurants.

For example, many high-rises are located on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, where eight buildings are under construction.

Four high-rises are located on Hai Ba Trung Street, between Nguyen Van Thu to Nguyen Du streets, and four more will open soon.

On the department's proposal, representatives from the Planning and Investment Department said there could be other reasons why the roads were congested.

"There is no regulation to stop giving business permission because of traffic congestion. The Transport Department should first create a project and then ask for approval from the Government," said Ung Thi Xuan Huong, deputy director of the Justice Department.

Huong also noted that the city had a master plan regarding businesses that attract many people, including markets, trade centres, schools, hospitals, restaurants, bars and karaoke establishments.

"Based on the master plan, relevant authorities can refuse to grant permits to businesses that want to locate in these areas," Huong added.

Architect Nguyen Tan said the municipal authorities should review and analyse the situation and come up with a plan. "Trade centres should be located in the outskirts to reduce traffic density going into the downtown," he said.