VietNamNet Bridge – The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has proposed using part of the newly established road maintenance fund to build 45 weigh stations but experts have objected to the idea, saying such stations might give rise to corruption as seen in the past.
The directorate has suggested dividing the investment process into three stages, with 13 stations to be developed in 2012-2015 at a cost of VND1 trillion, 19 stations in 2015-2020 at VND2.43 trillion and 13 stations in 2020-2030 at VND2.88 trillion. In total, the 45 stations would require more than VND6.3 trillion.
The directorate said funding should come from the road maintenance fund, State budget, ODA loans and BOT capital. Since the controversial road maintenance fund has just been launched at home, the agency has suggested using it after 2015.
There are currently two weigh stations in operation on a trial basis in the country, with one on National Highway 1 in the southern province of Dong Nai and the other on National Highway 18 in the northern province of Quang Ninh.
Speaking with the Daily, Thai Van Chung, general secretary of the HCMC Goods Transport Association, said the decree on the road maintenance fund clarifies that the fund is for road maintenance. Therefore, he described the proposed use of the fund to construct weigh stations as absurd.
“Personally I think constructing weigh stations to control overloaded vehicles is necessary but this doesn’t mean that we have to develop as many stations as proposed,” Chung said.
Echoing Chung’s view, transport expert Pham Sanh said the goal of collecting road maintenance fees is to maintain roads, so using the fund to construct weigh stations is unreasonable.
Source: SGT