Quarry accused of causing pollution
Thua Phia quarry, managed by Thanh Phat Minerals and Trading Company, is reported to be the main cause of dust for residents of Chu Trinh commune, Cao Bang city. According to Mr. Dinh Van Phu - a resident of hamlet 5, Chu Trinh commune, dust from the quarry not only seriously affects the health of family members, especially the elderly and children, but also negatively affects the trees and crops of his family.
According to Mr. Phu, dust from quarrying activities has covered trees and crops, reducing the agricultural productivity of his family. This not only affects daily life but also threatens the health of family members, especially children and the elderly. He has recommended that the quarrying company take measures to reduce dust to protect public health and the environment.
In response to these complaints, on January 11, the inspection team of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cao Bang province coordinated with relevant agencies to conduct a field inspection at Mr. Dinh Van Phu's house. The inspection results confirmed that dust was clinging to trees and crops, however, it is still unclear whether the dust originated from the quarry or the road construction project. The Thua Phia quarry has temporarily stopped operations to repair the electrical system.
Road construction projects cause dust
Besides the quarry, a major cause of dust in this area is the Chu Trinh - Hong Nam road upgrade project. This project, which has been in the works for a long time, is facing fierce criticism from local residents because of the amount of dust generated during construction. Every time large trucks pass by to transport construction materials, dust billows up, covering the houses and surrounding areas.
Ms. Luc Thi Kieu - living along Chu Trinh - Hong Nam route - said: "Every time a truck passes by, there is a lot of dust. Even though I bought a net to surround my house, I still can't stop the dust. The floor is always covered with dust." This situation has lasted for many years and has made people extremely miserable.
Mr. Nong Van Tuan - Chairman of Hong Nam Commune People's Committee - confirmed that the construction of the road upgrade project has caused dust in the area. The upgraded road is about 16km long and has a total investment of over 70 billion VND.
This is an important project, however, the lack of dust control during construction has caused many difficulties for people living along the route. Workers and vehicles transporting construction materials have polluted the air, seriously affecting the quality of life of local people.
A representative of the Cao Bang Provincial Traffic Project Management Board said that the project is being accelerated to complete early. However, the measures to reduce dust are not strong enough and have not achieved the expected results. The local government is also making concerted efforts to reduce the impact of dust on people, but in reality, these solutions need to be further improved.
