Garbage litters Provincial Road 536.
Provincial Road 536, the section leading from National Highway 1A to the Cua Lo tourist area, has long been considered one of the important transportation arteries serving the tourism development of Nghe An province. However, contrary to its role as a "gateway" for tourists, for many years this road has been "besieged" by the rampant dumping of household waste, causing environmental pollution.
The road is surrounded by garbage and wastewater.
Recently, Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television have received numerous complaints from residents of Trung Loc commune (formerly Nghi Xa commune, Nghi Loc district) regarding environmental pollution along Provincial Road 536. This situation not only affects the daily lives of residents but also negatively impacts urban aesthetics and the image of this key tourist route.
Observations reveal that along the northern section of Zone C in the Nam Cam Industrial Park, numerous points of household waste accumulation have appeared. Garbage is dumped indiscriminately on both sides of the road, concentrated in vacant lots and along drainage ditches. Many of these garbage dumps have remained uncollected and untreated for extended periods, emitting strong, foul odors that directly affect the living environment of residents and road users.
Besides household waste, some areas also have animal carcasses and construction materials dumped indiscriminately. Over time, these types of waste decompose, causing air pollution and posing a potential risk of disease outbreaks, especially in hot weather.
Along with garbage, the discharge of untreated domestic wastewater into the environment also occurs in this area. Along the earthen ditch bordering Provincial Road 536, adjacent to the northern corridor of the Nam Cam Industrial Park, wastewater from some households in Hamlet 11, Nghi Xa commune (now Trung Loc commune) is still discharged directly into the ditch.
In sections of the drainage ditches that have not been reinforced, weeds grow profusely, obstructing the flow and causing wastewater to stagnate, turn black, and emit a foul odor. This situation has persisted for many years, affecting the lives of residents in the surrounding area and detracting from the aesthetics along the road.
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Mr. Ngan Van Bien, a resident living near the Nam Cam Industrial Zone, said: “The drainage ditch emits a foul odor, causing great discomfort to the residents. On hot days, the smell is even stronger, significantly affecting daily life. This situation has lasted for many years but has not been thoroughly addressed.”
The pollution not only impacts people's lives but also seriously affects urban aesthetics. Provincial Road 536 is one of the main routes leading tourists from National Highway 1A to Cua Lo – a famous seaside tourist destination in Nghe An province. The presence of illegal dumpsites along this road is unsightly and diminishes the positive impression it has on tourists.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Hoang Van Cuong, Head of the Nghi Loc Road Management Unit – the unit managing this road – stated: The illegal dumping of waste on Provincial Road 536 has been occurring for many years. The unit managing the road has repeatedly petitioned the local authorities to resolve the issue completely, but without the desired results. Besides causing environmental pollution, the waste also poses a potential traffic safety hazard, especially when it spills onto the road during heavy rains.
A comprehensive solution is needed to address the issue definitively.
Ms. Vo Thi Van, a specialist in the Economic Department of the Trung Loc Commune People's Committee, stated that the local authorities have conducted inspections and documented the aforementioned situation. These garbage collection points have existed for a long time, even before the commune merger (formerly Nghi Long and Nghi Xa communes). However, because the garbage collection points are located right on Provincial Road 536, a busy thoroughfare, and within an area with many companies and factories, improper waste disposal continues to occur.
According to Ms. Van, the local authorities have researched and searched for suitable locations for waste collection within the residential area of Hamlet 11, but have not found any. Currently, the Commune People's Committee has directed relevant departments to strengthen control, regularly monitor the drainage ditch area, and at the same time, educate and remind people not to discharge waste directly into the environment, gradually overcoming the pollution situation.
According to our investigation, residents have repeatedly petitioned local authorities regarding this issue. The Provincial People's Committee has also assigned the Trung Loc Commune People's Committee to inspect and definitively address the spontaneous household waste collection points along Provincial Road 536. Simultaneously, the local authorities have been instructed to implement solutions for treating household wastewater from Hamlet 11 before connecting it to the drainage ditch, preventing untreated wastewater from being discharged directly into the environment and causing prolonged pollution.
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Furthermore, the Southeast Economic Zone in general and the Nam Cam Industrial Park in particular have periodically coordinated with relevant agencies to conduct annual environmental quality monitoring programs (surface water, groundwater, seawater, ambient air) to assess and track changes in environmental quality.
However, to thoroughly address this situation, more comprehensive and decisive solutions are needed. First, local authorities need to review and re-plan waste collection points appropriately, provide sufficient containers, increase the frequency of waste collection and transportation, and avoid prolonged waste accumulation. Simultaneously, it is necessary to strengthen public awareness campaigns to educate people about environmental protection and put an end to indiscriminate waste dumping.
In addition, inspection and handling of violations need to be strengthened, and sufficiently strong sanctions should be applied to deter offenders. The installation of surveillance camera systems at waste hotspots should also be studied and implemented to improve management efficiency.
Regarding the issue of domestic wastewater, it is necessary to invest in a centralized collection and treatment system for residential area 11 as soon as possible, to avoid direct discharge into the environment. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen coordination among relevant units and clearly define management responsibilities to avoid overlapping and shirking of duties.
In the context of Nghe An's efforts to build a green, clean, and beautiful tourism image, the continued existence of environmental "black spots" along key tourist routes is unacceptable. Completely resolving the issue of illegal waste dumping on Provincial Road 536 will not only contribute to environmental protection but also enhance the local image in the eyes of tourists.