Not qualified to reopen dedicated level crossing in Khanh Hoa

The Ministry of Transport has just issued a document responding to the petition of voters in Khanh Hoa province regarding the reopening of the dedicated level crossing at Km 1288+320, North-South railway line, Ninh Hoa town.

According to the National Assembly Delegation of Khanh Hoa province, the Vietnam Railway Authority has closed the level crossing at Km 1288+320 of the North-South railway, causing vehicles exploiting rocks at Hon Gioc Mo quarry (ADC Company manages the quarry and specialized level crossing) to enter the Ninh Duc residential area, Ninh Loc commune, Ninh Hoa town, causing environmental impacts.

The National Assembly delegation of Khanh Hoa province requested the Ministry of Transport to consider reopening this level crossing to avoid environmental impacts caused by smoke and dust from transportation activities by ADC Company.

Responding to this issue, the Ministry of Transport said that on January 15, 2024, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province sent a document requesting the Ministry of Transport to reopen the guarded level crossing at Km 1288+320 of the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway line to serve the transportation of stone from the Hon Gioc Mo quarry, providing materials for key projects.

At the same time, the barrier will narrow the nearby level crossing at Km 1288+088 to 1.5m for a maximum of 3 months to allow pedestrians and motorbikes to pass before removing the level crossing.

On January 30, 2024, the Ministry of Transport issued a document agreeing to the policy of reopening the specialized level crossing at Km 1288+320 with the following conditions: The investor must complete the service road system, build drainage culverts; build a village gate after the locality selects a location; commit to allowing people to share the specialized level crossing at Km 1288+320.

At the same time, implement barriers and narrow the automatic warning level crossing at Km 1288+088 to about 1.5m to allow pedestrians and motorbikes to cross the railway for a maximum of 3 months. After this period, the automatic warning level crossing at Km 1288+088 will be completely closed.

However, according to the report of Vietnam Railway Authority and Vietnam Railway Corporation, currently ADC Company has not complied with the request of the Ministry of Transport.

After that, the Ministry of Transport also sent a document to the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province requesting the local authorities and ADC Company to urgently complete the technical requirements of the level crossing before sending it to Vietnam Railway Corporation for consideration and decision to put the dedicated level crossing with guards at Km 1288+320 into operation and use according to regulations.

During the time the automatic warning level crossing at Km 1288+088 has not been completely closed, the Ministry of Transport requests the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province to direct local authorities to organize vigilance at this level crossing to ensure railway traffic safety.

"To soon put the dedicated level crossing with guards at Km 1288+320, Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway line into operation and use, the Ministry of Transport requests the National Assembly Delegation of Khanh Hoa province to consult with the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province to direct local authorities to urgently complete the technical requirements of this level crossing and organize propaganda and mobilize local people to use the new level crossing at Km 1288+320 when it is put into operation and use," the Ministry of Transport proposed.