The first line will run from Son La to Hoa Binh and onto Nho Quan and the second line will stretch from Son La to Hiep Hoa.

Ironing out the snags

Construction on the 500kv Son La-Hiep Hoa line started on September 20, 2009 and is expected to completed in March 2011. The line with an investment of VND2,884 billion, stretches through the five provinces of Son La, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc. Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang.

The amount of compensation for the land clearance in Vinh Phuc province has met its target and the province will have a total of 92 pylons over 42km. the only problem has been the slowness of the construction of the residential areas for resettled people and the payment of the pylons managed by the Northeast Forestry Production and Science Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The consultancy unit is currently evaluating the impact of the project on the military’s work and their everyday lives.

Phu Tho province has now handed over 120 out of a total of 166 pylons. The National Power Transmission Company (NPT) says that the slow land clearances have been due to the line’s traversing over different kinds of environment.

Phu Tho province’s People’s Committee and Department of Environment and Natural Resources have also been slow to approve the land clearance plans.

Do Huu Hao, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade has worked with the leaders of Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho provinces to discuss measures to deal with obstacles in land clearance. Accordingly, Phu Tho province’s People’s Committee will accept plans to complete the necessary procedures to build resettlement residential areas in June as quickly as possible.

Phung Quang Hung, the Vice Chairman of Vinh Phuc province’s People’s Committee said that the province considered the new line a priority. It has set up a steering committee on land clearances and has encouraged the local people to hand over land before June 30.