The Department of Transport in HCM City has issued new draft regulations on the using of pavements which states that pavements less than 1.5 metre-wide and narrower will be reserved for pedestrians.

Small businesses encroached the pavements in the city's centre

The draft regulations have been submitted to the HCM City People's Committee to replace Decision 74 issued in 2008.

The new regulations will enlarge the pedestrian-only pavements from one to 1.5 metres wide. Pavements that are 1.5 to 3 metres wide can be also be used as event venues, rubbish, material transfer points for construction sites or for businesses.

Pavements that are 3 to 5 metres wide can be used as parking lots for motorbikes. Pavements that are larger than five metres can be used for businesses as well as parking areas.

Those want to use the pavements as transfer points, parking or business areas must pay fees to the city. It will take seven days to get a 12-month license.

According to the Department of Transport, many terms in the Decision 74 can still be applied. However, inspections have revealed many shortcomings in pavement management and usage in various districts and communes.

For example, the decision doesn't specify the roles of related agencies in pavement management such as the Department of Planning and Investment, the Department of Construction and the city Traffic Safety Committee. The new draft regulations aim to improve upon the shortcomings for better pavement usage.

Laodong/Dtinew