The Nguyen Thi Dinh road upgrade project, spanning about 2 km with a total investment exceeding VND 2,000 billion, commenced in 4/2025 and is slated for completion in 6/2026. While the road surface is nearly finished, nearly 200 electricity poles still obstruct the middle of the road.

Motorcyclists navigate alongside numerous electricity poles situated in the middle of Nguyen Thi Dinh road, Cat Lai ward, after its expansion. *Dinh Van*

Many poles are leaning, with tangled electricity and telecommunication cables overhead. Some bundles of wires are broken and sag low, posing safety hazards. This route, connecting the An Phu interchange and My Thuy roundabout, experiences heavy traffic. In sections where alleys open onto the main road, motorcyclists must weave between the poles.

Hoang Danh, 45, who owns a food stall nearby, stated that since Tet (Lunar New Year), when the road was widened on both sides, the row of electricity poles was "left behind" in the middle. In sections with limited visibility at night, motorcycles occasionally collide with the poles, prompting residents to place foam boxes and plastic objects as warnings.

"Electricity poles should be relocated concurrently with road widening; such delays in removing the power grid cause significant inconvenience for commuters", Danh said.

A row of electricity poles situated between the two sides of the road poses an accident risk for drivers, especially at night due to limited visibility. *Dinh Van*

A representative from Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation (EVN HCMC) stated that the Cat Lai Ward Project Management Board is the investor for this project. According to standard procedure, the investor is responsible for relocating electricity poles and constructing a new power grid for the power sector to take over.

However, the removal of the old electrical system is currently stalled due to compensation procedures and support for relocating technical infrastructure. EVN HCMC has sent a written request to the investor to expedite the completion of necessary documents to coordinate the removal of nearly 200 electricity poles. They also requested that the poles be painted with reflective paint as a warning to commuters.

Route of Nguyen Thi Dinh road. *Hoang Thanh*

The issue of electricity poles remaining in the middle of roads has occurred in many transportation projects in TP HCM. In 1/2026, numerous electricity poles also obstructed Chu Van An road after its widening and have yet to be relocated. Previously, in 2024, road widening projects for Tan Ky Tan Quy, Duong Quang Ham, and Ba Hom bridge also faced delays due to difficulties in relocating electricity poles.

Dinh Van