BOT projects are increasing. Even old roads built by State budget, now upgraded by BOT, also become toll roads for 15-30 years. With such development, the people have to pay tolls on every road they travel.
BOT projects in full
According to statistics of the Ministry of Transport, in 2011-2015, non-budget investment capital (mainly BOT projects) for road network amounted to VND180,883 billion (81.45 per cent of total investment so far). BOT projects are attractive not only to big road builders but also other enterprises, financial organizations and banks.
In particular, major national routes with high traffic are first priorities for investors to suggest for upgrading. As a result, National Highway 1 running from North to South becomes a super construction side with a dozen of BOT projects. Consequently, each investor, each section of road will have a BOT toll post for 15-25 years and toll fees increasing every 3-5 years.
Taking Hanoi as the centre for road networks to other provinces, a list of BOT projects can be Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh, Hanoi – Thai Nguyen, Hanoi – Lao Cai, Hanoi – Haiphong, Hanoi – Vinh Phuc, etc. With such BOT projects, all transport vehicles are in fact under the control of BOT toll gates. Road sections of some 100 kilometres are controlled by 2 – 4 toll gates namely Hanoi – Ninh Binh, Hanoi – Thai Binh, Hanoi – Vinh Phuc.
It happens not only in big economic centres, but also in poor region such as the Central Highlands with BOT projects mushrooming everywhere, for instance, Highway 14 has 6 BOT toll gates with 2 in Binh Phuoc to Dak Lak, 2 in Dak Nong, and 2 in Gia Lai.
Let the people make a choice
Several views believe that in Vietnam BOT projects are imposed on the people. For instance, Hac Tri Bridge has been built but people are prohibited to cross with their cars. At a dialogue “Policy, law and efficiency of BOT projects” sponsored by the Dai Bieu Nhan Dan newspaper, journalist Tran Dang Tuan put a question to the State authorities: “Why does the State not invest in upgrading old roads or higher service, including BOT?”
Vice Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong explained that, first, the investment depends on traffic consideration. For instance, on Phap Van Highway, people may take old Highway 1 without fees instead of new highway with toll gate.
Second, upgrading existing road networks, for example, Hanoi – Haiphong highway has been built, but the old Highway 5 continues with toll gate as it needs upgrading by BOT. Therefore, the two projects are different, one is newly built, the other is upgrading.
Third, upgrading normal roads, for instance, Taco has recently built some projects in the North.
Without budget, it has to build a new road alongside as there is no room to repair the old road. Therefore, without building the new road, the old road cannot be used. The upgrading of the old road and building of the new one with toll gate at the first section both roads can be used. “Consequently, it is true that the people have no free choice,” the Vice Minister said.
Journalist Tran Dang Tuan said that with BOT projects in progress, the choice of the people is increasingly limited. Old toll gates will be expired but new ones will be installed with road upgrading by new investors.
Vice Minister Nguyen Hong Truong explained that Vietnam has few BOT projects of highways and mainly upgrading of existing roads. As a result, the people have no different choice. If State budget is available it can do. However, with budget constraint and decision of the National Assembly and Government, there is no other alternative than mobilising social resources to develop the infrastructure.
Luong Tuan
Vietnamese
