Road and Bridge Plan Launched

KHMER TIMES
PECH SOTHEARY

Heavy machinery deployed to do the work. Supplied

Phnom Penh City Hall yesterday formally launched the conversion of an unused rail track to a road from a station in the Boeung Kak area to National Road 5.

It also announced a plan to build a bridge connecting this new road to National Road 6A to expand the city’s traffic system.

However, people living along the rail line fear the loss of their homes and say they have not yet received specific information about the development.

Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong said in the ceremony that turning the track into a road was important to reduce traffic congestion as vehicle use increases.

He said a City Hall working team will go directly to find solutions with residents living along the railway. Residents would not be required to leave, he said, and authorities will carry out the development with them in place and try to reduce the impact.

Mr. Socheatvong said that to tackle traffic congestion, authorities need to build a bridge linking the new section of National Road 5 across the river to National Road 6.

Sam Piseth, director of the city’s public works and transport department, said the road along the railway would be 4.5 kilometers long.

It would start at Street 70 in the Beoung Kak area and continue to National Road 5 in Russey Keo district and would take five months to build.

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the plan in April. Since then, residents from nine communities living along the railway have gathered several times demanding a public forum to provide details of the project, but there has been no response from authorities.

Seun Thaithanh, who is affected in Kilomet Lek 6 commune, said residents have not had details of the plan, making them fear losing their homes as has happened in other communities.

“The city governor told us not to leave the area, but we do not know where the development will take place,” he said.

“We want to ask him, but he doesn’t let us question him. So it is difficult for us, because we do not have any specific information.

“We do not oppose the development, but please make it transparent. We are afraid that he can’t do it in the way he said.”

Sia Phearum, the executive director of the Housing Rights Task Force, applauded the authorities’ commitment to address the impact on residents.

He said City Hall should follow developments closely to avoid resentment and a voter backlash against the ruling party.