'Train Street Coffee': Ban or Manage?

The Traffic Police Department, Hanoi City Police, in coordination with the police of the wards, has just inspected and handled violations at the "train street coffee street" Phung Hung - Tran Phu (Hoan Kiem District) to ensure railway traffic safety and urban order, after a long period of continuous violations.

“Train Street Coffee” has long been an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Coffee shops along the railway have become ideal places to take photos and watch the trains pass by. However, this poses many serious safety risks.

When the authorities inspected and handled the violations, hundreds of tourists were asked to leave the dangerous area, and at the same time, tourists were also educated to raise awareness of railway traffic safety.

Train track coffee street in Hoan Kiem district (Hanoi). Photo: P.Sy

According to the reporter, at the “train track cafe” area, the authorities still set up checkpoints and resolutely prevented tourists from approaching the railway area. Those who deliberately violated the rules were warned and asked to return.

Ms. Kim Dung - "train street neighborhood" Tran Phu said, after the inspection on March 24, the train street cafes were completely empty of customers. However, around noon and afternoon, many international tourists still came, they patiently waited for the train to pass by to take pictures.

According to Ms. Dung, the train street coffee street is considered by many representatives of travel companies to be a unique tourism product, an address that attracts many tourists, especially on weekends.

“We really hope that the authorities will find a solution to develop railway cafes into an official tourism product and implement management measures, instead of banning them as they are now. During our operations, we will strictly comply with the regulations,” Ms. Dung shared.

Some households here also said that since the arrival of tourists, people have been tidying up their houses, tidying up their belongings, and reminding visitors to stand in the safe area when the train arrives. Some families have also set up barriers in front of their doors to prevent passengers from stepping onto the railway tracks, and installed surveillance cameras to know in advance when a train arrives to warn residents and visitors...

Talking to reporters, Dr. Khuong Kim Tao - former Deputy Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee said: "Train road cafes" are one of the favorite destinations for many foreign visitors. This is also a significant source of income for coffee businesses here. However, the fact that coffee shop owners let customers sit right next to the railway tracks, and many people even go out into the middle of the tracks to take pictures or cross before the train arrives is extremely dangerous. Because the distance from people's houses to the edge of the railway tracks is only about 1.5 - 2.3 m, when the train passes, the remaining space is very little. In order to ensure the safety of residents and tourists, authorities have strictly prohibited tourists from entering to have fun and take pictures on this street, and strictly handle violations. However, despite the ban and warnings of danger, many coffee shops continue to "spring up".

According to Mr. Tao, to thoroughly resolve this issue, the direct responsibility lies with the local authorities where the railway runs. Along with management work, it is necessary to increase the installation of surveillance cameras in this area to promptly prevent and handle violations. In addition, when using the railway for business purposes to attract tourists, it is necessary to have measures to ensure traffic safety to protect people's lives.

Previously, the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District had repeatedly requested to rectify the situation of businesses encroaching on the railway traffic safety corridor, especially in the Tran Phu and Phung Hung areas. However, the violations continued.

Mr. Trinh Hoang Tung - Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee said that through the review of the functional forces, it was found that there are currently 78 households opening shops along the route, of which 63 households are spontaneous, not registered for business, posing a potential risk to railway traffic safety. Faced with this situation, Hoan Kiem District People's Committee has proactively coordinated with city departments, branches and the railway industry to implement many drastic measures. In particular, requiring 100% of households to sign a commitment not to violate, not to place tables and chairs to obstruct railway traffic; Strengthening inspection and handling of violations, arranging 4 continuous checkpoints from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with interdisciplinary forces at key points; Installing warning signs, disseminating to people and tourists about accident risks.

“However, there is still a risk of violations recurring. The District People's Committee will continue to maintain current measures and step up propaganda to raise awareness of compliance among residents and tourists,” said Mr. Tung.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/ca-phe-duong-tau-cam-hay-quan-10302353.html