DANANG – Deo Ca JSC has pledged to continue operating the Hai Van 2 tunnel – the longest road tunnel project in Southeast Asia connecting Danang City and Thua Thien Hue Province – after the February 21, 2021, deadline. The investor expects that the Government will soon resolve financial issues, including disbursing VND1,180 billion for the project.
This information was unveiled in the company’s press release on February 21.
Previously, at the Hai Van 2 Tunnel’s inauguration ceremony that took place on January 11, Deo Ca said the tunnel was opened to traffic and would remain operational during the upcoming lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, but would be closed after February 21 as the State has yet to resolve the project’s related financial issues.
According to Deo Ca, up to now, the overall Deo Ca road tunnel BOT project still has long-standing financial issues that have not been completely addressed such as the delayed disbursement of VND1,180 billion and the adjustment of the toll collection mechanism on the La Son-Tuy Loan highway station, among others. These shortcomings will directly affect the project’s operation.
According to the press release, on the basis of the request of the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with the MOT, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice to consider arranging VND1,180 billion for the project. At the meeting on January 29, 2021, the relevant agencies agreed to ask the Prime Minister to disburse the amount that will be added in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period.
Reportedly, during Tet, there were some 11,000-14,000 vehicles passing through the parallel Hai Van 1 and Hai Van 2 tunnels each day. Due to the operation of both tunnels, traffic pressure on the North-South route has been reduced and traffic congestion no longer exists.
By Nhan Tam
