Geological agency project leaves dozens of residents on crutches

The row of "crutches" houses on Phuong Canh Street attracts the attention of passersby.

This is the truth that is happening in Residential Group No. 2, Xuan Phuong Ward, Nam Tu Liem District. The main culprit is the Project "Construction of technical facilities for the Geological Federation - Rare Earths" invested by the Geological Federation - Rare Earths (under the Vietnam Geological Department).

Recently, people passing Phuong Canh Street, about a hundred meters from the intersection with Phuc Dien Street, looking to the right, could not help but be curious about a row of houses that appeared with a strange appearance. A system of steel pillars tightly attached to the row of houses looked no different from… crutches. For many months now, without these “crutches”, dozens of houses here would not be able to stand.

Without this solid steel pillar system, many houses would not be able to stand.

In early 2023, the project "Construction of technical facilities of the Geological Federation - Rare Radioactive" was started with a total investment of 99,800,000,000 VND; the construction site is on the land of the Geological Federation - Rare Radioactive, in Xuan Phuong ward, Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi. The construction contractor is the joint venture of Nam Do Construction Joint Stock Company - Truong Giang Technology Joint Stock Company.

These "crutches" are the "saviors" for these houses.

However, just a few months after the project was implemented, dozens of houses of residents in Residential Group No. 2, Xuan Phuong Ward, Nam Tu Liem District (located right next to the project site) appeared to have cracks, tilts, subsidence, and horizontal displacement towards the construction site. Many houses even tilted, subsided, and separated between adjacent houses by up to about 30cm.

One house was torn to the side, leaving a large crack with the adjacent structure.

Immediately after receiving feedback from the people about the above situation, Xuan Phuong Ward People's Committee sent staff to the scene, coordinated with the investor and project contractor to inspect and assess the situation as well as hold a meeting to discuss and find solutions.

Speaking to Kinh te & Do thi reporters, Vice Chairman of Xuan Phuong Ward People's Committee Tran Van Hoan said that according to the results of inspection and assessment of the current situation, there are 19 households affected by the project of the Radioactive - Rare Geological Federation, many of which are severely affected, posing potential dangers.

The foundation and porch were also cracked and left gaping holes.

After a period of discussion between the investor, the project contractor and the affected households under the chairmanship of the People's Committee of Xuan Phuong Ward, the parties agreed that the project would temporarily suspend the construction of the basement of Building A so that the investor and contractor could complete the documents; at the same time, the construction unit deposited more than 4 billion VND to implement measures to ensure safety for the affected people. Currently, the above deposit amount is being deposited at the bank and managed by the People's Committee of Xuan Phuong Ward.

The entrance to the residential area is crisscrossed with sturdy steel pipes.

Although the project has been temporarily suspended and the affected houses are being reinforced with steel pillars to avoid the risk of collapse, the households living in these “crutch” houses are still confused and worried. With the current situation of subsidence, subsidence, cracking, and tearing, many houses are in a dangerous state, not easy to fix and restore to their original state.