The 4-lane, 5.2 km road connecting National Highway 1 to the coastal square in Ngu Thuy Bac commune (now Cam Hong commune) was constructed in 2021 and inaugurated in 2025. For several months, 70 cm diameter cast iron manhole covers located along the roadside have been disappearing.
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A manhole without its cover. Photo: Son Thuy |
A manhole without its cover. Photo: Son Thuy
Tran Van Tuan, a resident of Cam Hong commune, said initially only a few manhole covers were missing, but now the problem is widespread along the road, creating dangerous traps. The pits are over one meter deep and contain drainage ditches, and the road lacks lighting at night.
"During heavy rain, these uncovered, flooded pits pose a serious risk to anyone who might fall in," Tuan said.
On 16/7, Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director of the Le Thuy District Project Management Board for Investment, Construction, and Land Development, the project's implementing agency, said the thefts began in March. The board reported the incidents to authorities and recovered 54 covers, the number missing at that time.
However, the thefts have resumed recently on a larger scale. A total of 189 covers are now missing. "The widespread nature of these thefts suggests an organized and brazen operation," Dung said.
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A manhole with its cover stolen. Photo: Son Thuy |
A manhole with its cover stolen. Photo: Son Thuy
Following the project management board's report, Tran Thi Ngoc Tram, Chairwoman of Cam Hong commune, said she has directed the police to investigate.
Dac Thanh
