The Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway in Lao Cai Province. Local people have set up stalls to sell food and drinks, violating the safety corridor of the expressway's neighbouring Yen Bai Province section. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Serious violations have been committed along the safety corridor in the northern province of Yen Bai on Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway three months after the entire stretch of road opened to traffic.

Local authorities reported that right after the 81-km section was completed in June, which spanned from Km109+750 to Km109+420, residents living along the highway suddenly set up stalls to sell food, drinks and glass-cleaning water at the safety corridor. These activities pose danger to the vehicles traversing the road. Moreover, some sellers have even broken the corridor's fence to open their shops inside the area.

The broken fence also serves as an illegal pathway used by the local residents to pass in their motorbikes and shepherd their cattle on the road, which is designated for cars only.

The section running through Van Yen District saw an increased number in unlawful shops, which began at 18 and now reached 24. The Chau Que Thuong and Chau Que Ha communes are the most affected by these stalls. Similarly, more than 20 illegal shops are found on the section running through Tran Yen District.

Ha Duc Anh, deputy chairman of Van Yen District People's Committee, said that the local authorities had exerted efforts to close such shops.

However, local residents would simply temporarily pull apart their illegal shops when they see the authorities. They would then resume their operations once the authorities leave, he explained.

Nguyen Van Khuong, deputy director of the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway Operation Centre, shared that many lorries, especially the overloaded ones, frequently stop by the illegal shops for their rest stops.

Apart from posing hazards to pedestrians and drivers, such lorries may even damage the road and cause it subside, he revealed.

Pham Duy Cuong, chairman of Yen Bai Provincial People's Committee, has signed an official document addressed to the police and transport departments, as well as the local people's committees of Tran Yen, Van Yen districts and Yen Bai City, advising them to actively resolve the issue.

The relevant sides were asked to close down all illegal shops violating the safety corridor along the highway.

All violators must be punished accordingly, the document indicated.

The official document also clearly pointed out that the chairmen of the localities where the violations were committed must take responsibility for the offenses.

The Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway, which was officially opened on September 21, has helped shorten the travel time from Ha Noi to Lao Cai and vice versa. It also runs through Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho and Yen Bai provinces. — VNS