Banana market encroaches on the road, danger lurks
Tan Long Banana Market is located right at the intersection of National Highway 9 and Provincial Road 586 (Lao Bao Commune, Quang Tri). This is a famous honey-shaped banana trading spot, especially during the full moon or Tet holiday, when the demand for worship increases. During peak days, banana motorbikes are crowded on the road, occupying the entire lane, causing chaos in traffic and posing a potential risk of accidents.
Mr. Nguyen Van Duc (residing in Khe Sanh commune), a freight transport worker, said that every full moon or Tet holiday, a banana truck overflows onto the road. Large trucks on National Highway 9 run continuously, passing through the market makes everyone feel insecure.
Traders also admit that displaying on the street is very dangerous. However, the main market was too small, with no more seats, so they were forced to stop their vehicles on the street to wait for traders.
"There were times when the authorities tightened, people temporarily retreated deep into Provincial Road 586, but then gradually moved to the intersection in front of Tan Long market to facilitate buying and selling" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Nam, a trader, shared.
On the morning of September 17, Ms. Nam directly witnessed the scene of a large truck from National Highway 9 rushing straight into the market, overtaking many motorbikes carrying bananas on Provincial Road 586. As a result, the accident killed 3 people and injured 9 others, of which 3 were seriously injured.
Resolutely deploy new markets after accidents
Immediately after the accident, Mr. Phan Phong Phu - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province directly went to the scene, requesting a complete handling of the encroachment on the road. He also assigned Lao Bao commune and related units to urgently deploy the construction of a new market for people to trade safely.
Mr. Tran Binh Thuan - Secretary of the Lao Bao Commune Party Committee, former Chairman of the Huong Hoa District People's Committee - said that the Tan Long banana market area has great traffic pressure. Mr. Thuan said that when he was a district leader, he added a market planning but it was not suitable. Recently, Lao Bao commune surveyed a 3ha land plot in Bich La Dong village, 1.5km from the old market, if implemented, people will have a safe place to trade.
On September 17, Lao Bao commune proposed to the leaders of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province to arrange funding to level the ground for the above market. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan Phong Phu emphasized that experience from many places shows that it is necessary to choose a suitable location to build a market, avoiding the situation where people do not enter after the construction. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a reasonable location, both ensuring safety and convenience for trading. The provincial leaders agreed to let Lao Bao commune implement it, and at the same time requested immediate implementation to avoid further prolongation.
Major General Nguyen Thanh Liem - Director of Quang Tri Provincial Police said that he has directed units to increase traffic flow and strictly handle the situation of encroachment on roads and sidewalks to trade agricultural products at Tan Long market.
According to research, many years ago, the old Tan Long commune (now under Lao Bao commune) and Huong Hoa district have repeatedly proposed building a centralized market for banana traders to ensure traffic order and safety. However, up to now, all plans are still on paper with the reason that the selected land is having problems with commercial market planning and land use planning.
The delay has turned the risk into a disaster. The tragic accident on September 17 is a wake-up call for management and planning work.
