Many sections of the embankment along the Xang Xa No canal through Vi Tan ward and Vi Thanh 1 commune (Can Tho city) are in a state of cracking, breaking, collapsing, and subsidence, posing a potential risk of unsafety for people. Meanwhile, people believe that the situation of barges regularly anchored close to the shore may be one of the factors affecting the project.
According to reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper, at many locations along the embankment line, railings are bent, broken, and protruding from the concrete base. The brick foundation sections have subsided, and the embankment foundation has many cracks, and steel reinforcement is exposed. Along the line, garbage, glass shards and construction materials have also appeared dumped on the embankment, causing unsightliness and affecting people's travel.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phuoc (area 10, Vi Tan ward) said that the damage situation has been going on for quite a long time. According to him, many barges regularly dock close to the shore, using railings and embankments as anchor ropes. When vehicles move or large waves appear, the anchor ropes stretch and pull, causing the railing to bear great force.
I see barges often parked here, tying ropes to both ends of the railing. When the waves hit, the anchor ropes stretched and pulled, causing many sections of the railing to break, revealing the iron and steel inside. Previously, people also came to inspect, but for about a year now, no repairs have been seen," Mr. Phuoc said.
Sharing the same concern, Ms. Pham Thi Oanh (hamlet 3B, Vi Thanh 1 commune) shared that the embankment is showing more and more subsidence and damage points. Some locations have been repaired but not thoroughly, so they continue to degrade. According to Ms. Oanh, many people exercising have stumbled and fallen at damaged locations.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut - Standing Vice Chairman of Vi Thanh 1 Commune People's Committee informed that the locality has recorded the degradation of the embankment. However, according to Mr. Nhut, the anchoring operation of the barge is only one of the factors that may affect the project, and the main reason is that the project has been put into use for many years, so it has deteriorated over time.
Mr. Nhut added that there is still a situation where some barges are secretly anchored on the canal. However, the handling is under the authority of the functional forces managing waterway traffic. The locality will coordinate with the Commune Police and Waterway Traffic Police to strengthen inspection and handle violations.
According to local representatives, due to limited public investment capital, repairs will be carried out according to a roadmap, prioritizing urgent projects. It is expected that in 2027, when funds are allocated, the locality will deploy repairs of damaged embankment sections to ensure safety and urban landscape embellishment.
