On 22/9, the Hanoi People's Committee submitted a proposal for the To Lich River park project to the City Council for review and approval at its 26th session on 30/9.

The project will utilize nearly 738,000 square meters of land across 12 wards along the river: Ngoc Ha, Nghia Do, Lang, Giang Vo, Cau Giay, Yen Hoa, Thanh Xuan, Dong Da, Khuong Dinh, Dinh Cong, Thanh Liet, and Hoang Liet. Key features include green spaces, walkways, plazas, retaining walls, riverside paths, steps, parking areas, playgrounds, sports fields, and pedestrian walkways.

To Lich River passing through Cau Giay ward, photographed on 18/9. Photo: Hoang Phong

Sun Group is the company proposing the pre-feasibility study. The total investment is estimated at over 4,665 billion VND, funded through a build-transfer (BT) contract and paid with land. The city plans to allocate 94 hectares of land in Phuc Thinh commune, formerly Dong Anh district, to the investor.

The project is scheduled for completion within two years, from Quarter III/2025 to Quarter III/2027, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for the Liberation of Hanoi anniversary on 10/10.

The 13.4 km To Lich River originates from Nghia Do canal (Hoang Quoc Viet) and flows into the Nhue River through Thanh Liet sluice gate or the Red River via the Yen So pumping station with a capacity of 90 cubic meters per second. Originally a tributary of the Red River, the To Lich has suffered from severe pollution for many years due to interrupted water flow, primarily receiving wastewater, rainwater, and some water from West Lake.

Hanoi has implemented several measures to improve the river's environment, including supplementing water flow, collecting wastewater, dredging the riverbed, and cleaning the riverbanks. The city has completed water replenishment from West Lake and the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant.

Vo Hai