Will combat congestion at BOT toll stations by using non-stop toll collection

(Baonghean.vn) - That was the affirmation of comrade Nguyen Hong Truong - Deputy Minister of Transport at the working session of the National Assembly Standing Committee with the People's Committee of Nghe An province.

In the period 2011-2016, Nghe An province had 2 traffic projects invested in the form of BOT by the Central Government.

Specifically: The 25km long Vinh City bypass project is invested by Traffic Construction Corporation 4 under the BOT form,Use of toll collection funds at Ben Thuy I, II andThe project to expand National Highway 1A, section Km368+400 (Nghi Son) - Km402+330 (Cau Giat) through Thanh Hoa - Nghe An province, has a total investment of 3,643 billion VND invested by the Joint Venture of Traffic Construction Corporation 4 - Corporation 319. The project uses the capital source from toll collection at Hoang Mai toll station to recover capital.

Working session scene. Photo: Thanh Le

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Huynh Thanh Dien affirmed: Investing in projects under the BOT form is extremely necessary in the context of budget difficulties. BOT projects have actively contributed to the development of transport infrastructure, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of the province.

Besides the advantages, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also said that BOT projects still have some limitations and problems such as: Some regulations are not specific, it is necessary to supplement management sanctions, including policy mechanisms; Toll prices and fee increase roadmap for BOT traffic works are still not suitable in many places; construction management, maintenance work, and traffic assurance still have some problems.

Comrade Huynh Thanh Dien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: In the process of collecting fees to recover BOT capital, it is necessary to harmonize the interests of investors, people and the economic development process of the locality. Photo: Thanh Le.

To ensure the harmony of interests between investors, people and the state, Nghe An province recommends: It is necessary to supplement policy mechanisms related to BOT projects; strengthen state management, inspection and supervision of the implementation process; deploy construction and have regulations on price levels, price increase roadmap, toll collection time suitable to the specific conditions of each region and ensure the overall efficiency and benefits of the people as well as investors.

Strengthen control of traffic flow through the station, control actual revenue of the project to ensure transparency. Propose that the Ministry of Transport has a long-term solution to the request of vehicle owners who do not use the bypass but still have to pay fees when passing Ben Thuy bridge.

Comrade Nguyen Huu Quang - Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee concluded the working session. Photo: Thanh Le.

Regarding the toll collection schedule of Ben Thuy bridge, Mr. Ngo Trong Nghia - Deputy General Director of Cienco4 affirmed: The toll increase schedule of Ben Thuy bridge is consistent with Circular 159 of the Ministry of Transport, based on the recommendations of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, the investor proposed to the Ministry of Transport to reduce the toll.

“The suggestion of some people to change the location of the toll station and exempt the fee is very difficult for investors. Investors recommend that the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance soon have a solution to reduce the toll collection on Ben Thuy bridge, resolving the pressing issues in the area. Complete the investment institution of BOT projects, streamline procedures in project implementation. For local authorities, the People's Committee of Nghe An province soon finalize the land acquisition plan. Coordinate with agencies to resolve the situation of encroachment on corridors and overloaded vehicles" - Mr. Nghia suggested.

Ben Thuy I Bridge Toll Station. Photo: Thanh Le

Affirming the need to attract investment projects in the form of BOT is the policy of the Party and State to develop transport infrastructure, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong clarified why people have no other choice but BOT projects because the majority (65%) of BOT projects are currently upgrading while new projects only account for 35%.

Regarding the Ben Thuy bridge toll collection, the Ministry of Transport will coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to find solutions to reduce fees for people who regularly cross the Ben Thuy bridge. At the same time, the Ministry will direct toll stations to switch to non-stop toll collection to prevent congestion and create transparency at BOT toll stations.

“The National Assembly Supervisory Delegation needs to understand correctly to propagate to the people to clearly understand the BOT project. It is recommended that the relevant ministries and branches have specific instructions in implementing BOT projects to attract investment projects; have preferential policies for people and businesses going through toll stations many times a day” - Comrade Nguyen Hong Truong suggested.

At the meeting, delegates also reflected on the shortcomings of the system of documents related to investment in the form of BOT, the failure to mobilize foreign investors in the form of BOT, the quality of investment projects, toll levels, toll stations, the implementation of non-stop toll collection, etc.

Concluding the working session, Comrade Nguyen Huu Quang - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee emphasized the role of BOT investment projects for the locality. He suggested that the province should coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to find solutions to resolve the petitions of the people at Ben Thuy bridge toll station (location, collection level, and policies for people around the two ends of the toll station). Localities, investors, ministries and branches need to actively coordinate to resolve outstanding issues.

The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee emphasized: It is necessary to strengthen communication work so that people are aware of the need to be responsible in paying fees for BOT projects.

Through this supervision, the Supervisory Delegation synthesized opinions and proposed solutions to overcome limitations and promote the effectiveness of investment projects in the form of BOT./.

Thanh Le