Ho Chi Minh City needs VND51,317 billion (US$2.53 billion) for anti-flooding works from now until 2020, reported the city’s Steering Center of the Urban Flood Control Program yesterday.

At a meeting chaired by the city People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Huu Tin, center leaders said that the works would cover rainwater drainage, tide control and wastewater treatment.

Eight large tide control sluices should be built to prevent flooding from occurring in districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Go Vap, Binh Chanh, Nha be, and Hoc Mon, they said.

Besides, the construction of 68 smaller sluices and embankments along Vam Thuat, Saigon and Can Giuoc rivers is also needed for the purpose.

The above projects will be implemented from now until 2018. Afterwards the city will complete other anti-flooding works such as drainage canals, dykes, reservoirs and pumping stations for Regions 1 and 2 under the Government’s plan 1547.

The Region 1 includes the right bank of Saigon and Nha Be rivers including HCMC center area and southern portion, and parts of the neighboring province of Long An. The Region 2 is the entire area of Dong Nai – Saigon river junction.

Of the total capital, the city is expected to finance VND11,610 billion for the building of drainage system, mobilize VND29.85 billion under Public Private Partnership form for wastewater treatment plants, and get loans of VND9.85 billion for embankments and tide control sluices.

After reporting, the center proposed the Prime Minister to give HCMC with financial assistance and experts to implement and assess the above works.

Deputy Chairman Nguyen Huu Tin instructed the center to improve the project and carefully calculate loan payment measures.