Hai Duong 'cleans up' illegal parking lots

Unprecedented results

In 2024 alone, Hai Duong had 117 unplanned yards that did not comply with the criteria and regulations of the law that had to cease operations. Among these were many large-scale yards that had existed for decades but had not been thoroughly handled. After ceasing operations, most of these yards were cleared, all materials, equipment, machinery were moved, and the structures serving previous production and business activities were dismantled.

According to the reporter's investigation, the number of unplanned wharfs in Hai Duong that were handled in 2024 was the highest ever. Notably, the handling time only took about 1 year and no cases had to be enforced.

The above results were achieved by the province with a determined and persistent spirit. On December 29, 2023, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee issued Resolution No. 36 - NQ/TU on strengthening leadership and direction in the management of riverside wharves and yards and intra-field canals in the province. The Resolution clearly states the time to cease operations and complete the clearance of unplanned wharves and yards before December 31, 2024.

Party committees and authorities at all levels are required to strengthen leadership and direction in wharf management; clearly define the roles and responsibilities of leaders in managing this activity...

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment) alone held 5 meetings with departments, branches, and district-level People's Committees, issued 26 documents reporting, urging, and recommending the implementation of Resolution 36. Directed the Dike Management Departments of districts, towns, and cities to work directly, issued 1,329 minutes of guidance, and urged wharf owners... The provincial departments and branches thoroughly and resolutely took action. The provincial police discovered, inspected, and handled 12 violations related to mineral gathering and trading activities.

District and commune levels have issued plans, organized many meetings, and issued many documents directing and guiding the handling of violations in the spirit of Resolution 36.

Comrade Nguyen Huu Thong, Secretary of Kim Thanh District Party Committee, informed: "The district established a Steering Committee, developed a very specific plan and roadmap for implementing Resolution 36. Every month, the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee listens to reports on the implementation to promptly lead and direct serious implementation". As a result, 5 unplanned yards that do not comply with the criteria and regulations of the law in this district have stopped operating.

Kinh Mon town is one of the localities with many unplanned yards that need to be cleared, with 18 cases. Phung Van Dien, head of the town's Dike Management Department, said that the officers and employees assigned to monitor the area are constantly following the base, and together with the authorities, urging the owners of these yards to seriously carry out the clearance. Despite some difficulties, the locality has basically completed the set workload.

Permanent solution

All 117 unplanned wharfs in Hai Duong have stopped operating, but there are still 6 cases where all construction and materials have not been moved. The province requires departments, branches, localities and related units to urgently resolve the issue, not allowing it to persist.

Hai Duong currently has 225 out of 314 wharves that are in accordance with the planning but do not have sufficient legal procedures. Resolution 36 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee clearly states: From 2026, all wharves with production and business activities must ensure full legal procedures according to the provisions of law. That means after December 31, 2025, any wharves that do not have sufficient legal procedures must stop operating.

Completing related legal procedures is facing some difficulties, especially related to the auction of public land (currently being leased as a wharf). The district level has not yet made specific and clear proposals and recommendations according to the provisions of law for each content to be sent to higher levels for consideration and resolution.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment has requested the district People's Committee to take the lead in managing the activities, coordinate with relevant departments and branches to guide the completion of legal procedures for each wharf. Strive to complete procedures on investment by June 15 at the latest; complete procedures on land and environment by September 15; complete procedures on mineral business conditions, traffic, taxes, fire prevention and fighting by December 31 to grant operating licenses...

The province still has 17 yards that have legal procedures but are not in accordance with the planning. Some localities have sent documents proposing that the Provincial People's Committee consider allowing these cases to operate until the end of the land lease term.