The "king" parking lots on the sidewalk

The streets have sidewalks used as parking lots that take up the entire pedestrian path, such as the parking lots on Nguyen Du, Hai Trieu, Ho Tung Mau, etc. Specifically, the parking lot on Nguyen Du uses almost the entire sidewalk on this street for parking. Meanwhile, on Hai Trieu street, there are 2 parking lots that take up the entire sidewalk, leaving pedestrians with no way to move.

According to PV's research,In District 1, there are currently 48 parking lots located in prime locations of District 1. Among these, some of the above parking lots are owned by departments and offices of the People's Committee of District 1 and wards.

Meanwhile, from June 2017 until now, there have been nearly 700 files related to the extension and issuance of new paid and free parking lots on sidewalks of individuals and businesses in District 1 that have been "soaked".

Meanwhile, the situation of sidewalk re-occupation in the central area of ​​District 1 is becoming a headache. For many days now, sidewalk and roadside re-occupation has been taking place in many central areas of District 1 (HCMC). Especially in the areas of Nguyen Thai Binh ward, Cau Kho ward, Cau Ong Lanh ward, Tan Dinh ward, Da Kao ward, Co Giang ward...

The situation of reoccupying sidewalks and roadsides for business and parking often occurs in wards such as on streets such as Nguyen Thai Binh, Hai Ba Trung, Pho Duc Chinh, Vo Van Kiet, De Tham, Co Bac, Co Giang, etc.

Meanwhile, the "flea market" operates daily right in the center of District 1. It encroaches on sidewalks and roads during rush hours, causing traffic jams on De Tham, Co Bac, Co Giang streets...

In addition to the situation of occupying sidewalks and roadsides for business, the situation of motorbikes climbing sidewalks and cars parking on sidewalks still happens every day on many streets in the center of District 1.

Many violations…in management

The inspection team of District 1 (HCMC) conducted an inspection at the Urban Order Management Team of District 1 on the management and issuance of temporary permits for using sidewalks to park motorbikes in the district during the period from January 2014 to December 2015.

According to the inspection conclusion, through the examination of 1,126 dossiers of temporary sidewalk use permits in District 1 during the above period, many violations were found. Through the examination of 1,126 dossiers of granting permits, it was found that the management of temporary sidewalk use permit dossiers for motorbike parking was not carried out in accordance with the regulations on clerical work, and some dossiers were missing or did not have all the required components.

In particular, the inspection conclusion pointed out that there were 154 cases where the Urban Order Management Team advised on late issuance of licenses to individuals and organizations (over 6 months).

In many cases, sidewalks are on the list of 53 licensed routes with toll collection according to the decision of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, but the Urban Order Management Team advises on granting temporary sidewalk use permits without toll collection to individuals and organizations. Specifically, such as the sidewalk parking lots at 9-11 Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Trieu sidewalk parking lot, Nguyen Sieu - Thai Van Lung parking lot, Nguyen Du sidewalk parking lot, etc. However, in reality, these parking lots charge people to park their vehicles.

In addition, the Urban Order Management Team also allows individuals and organizations to take advantage of being granted temporary sidewalk use permits without fees and self-management to collect parking fees contrary to the purpose of use granted in the permit, causing difficulties in State management.

The Urban Order Management Team directly organized the collection and payment of public land use fees without a unified document assigning the task and without direction from the district leaders, which is not strict and not in accordance with regulations.

Ho Chi Minh City directs inspection of "king" parking lots

On January 9, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee directed a review of all parking lots in District 1. After the review, parking on sidewalks will be stopped. According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, sidewalks must be reserved for traffic; if used for other purposes, they must be arranged so as not to affect traffic.

For 48 parking lots located in prime locations in the center of District 1, which are owned by departments of the District People's Committee, the HCMC People's Committee assigned District 1 to inspect the licensing and report to the city.

At the same time, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City also directed the Chairman of the People's Committee of District 1 to work with the youth volunteer force to hand over parking lots to this unit. Any parking lots that affect traffic will be cleared immediately.

According to the HCMC People’s Committee, the practice of parking on sidewalks is currently widespread and shows signs of profiteering. Therefore, it is necessary to review and end it immediately in the first quarter of 2018.

Mr. Hai is energetic but has to recalculate his working methods.

Parking lot on Hai Trieu street taken on the afternoon of January 9.

Evaluating the process of restoring order to the sidewalks and roadways of Mr. Doan Ngoc Hai, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said that Mr. Hai was very energetic, enthusiastic, responsible and determined in his work. However, in some meetings when reminded, Mr. Hai also said that he would learn from experience in the method but there were some issues that needed to be reconsidered. "There are things that Mr. Hai is very energetic, enthusiastic and determined in. However, there are issues related to the method that Mr. Hai needs to recalculate in handling the issues," Mr. Phong said.