Construction sand prices double, worrying about material shortage for key transport projects

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh requested localities and contractors to speed up construction progress and urgently remove obstacles to complete key transport projects.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh works with Central provinces on June 7 - Photo: THANG THANG

On June 7 in Binh Dinh, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh had a working session with Central provinces from Hue City to Binh Thuan on the progress of key transport projects in the area.

At the meeting, some localities raised difficulties in disbursing the 2025 public investment capital plan such as the impact of the arrangement of two-level government, problems with compensation for site clearance, lack of construction materials such as fill soil, sand, stone, etc.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Dinh province, said that the delay in granting licenses to exploit soil, sand, and stone mines has greatly affected the progress of many projects. If not resolved promptly, investment efficiency will be seriously affected.

The province proposed that the Government allow localities to proactively complete procedures to officially exploit mineral mines in accordance with regulations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Nam Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, informed that the price of construction sand has increased from VND 300,000/m³ to VND 600,000/m³, affecting the cost and progress of many projects.

The situation of enterprises winning sand mine auctions but not exploiting continues, in some cases the winning price is 100 times higher than the starting price. The province has directed the police to investigate and prosecute a number of cases, but this situation has not ended.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh acknowledged the efforts of localities in the context of many objective difficulties. At the same time, he requested that localities that have not allocated all capital urgently complete the task.

The biggest problem is site clearance, which needs to be focused on and resolved, not only for ongoing projects but also for major future projects such as the Quang Ngai - Kon Tum, Pleiku - Quy Nhon, and Phu Yen - Dak Lak expressways.

Regarding the high-speed railway project, Mr. Nguyen Hoa Binh said that in the coming time, the Government will assign localities to proactively clear the site before there are investors.

Localities need to pay due attention to key national projects, ensure progress and manage public investment capital well.

Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper