Local authorities in Can Tho City are being criticised for damaging handrails of seven of eight bridges in two hamlets so cars can get through.

The route which has the most bridges is about 4km long and the road is just three metres wide. One of the damaged bridges is only two metres wide. People have tried to keep the bridge intact by using mortar to stop the handrails from collapsing.

Chin Dieu, a local in Binh Thanh Hamlet, said the damage started three months ago. Local authorities didn't notify them or announce anything before pushing the handrails wider apart so that the bridges would look bigger. When being questioned by the people, they said the handrails being destroyed so that ambulances and taxis could go to everyone's houses.

"The head of our hamlet led a team of ten men and used hammers to destroy the handrails. They said it was to let cars travel more easily but there are rarely any cars in this area, people don't have cars, unless they are the district officials," said another local in Binh Thanh Hamlet.

Tran Ngoc Hung, head of Binh Thanh Hamlet admitted that they pushed the handrails of the bridges wider apart for cars. Another bridge in Thoi Thanh Hamlet also received the same treatment. "Lots of people here often get sick so the bridges have to be wider for cars and trucks," he said.

Handrails pushed wider apart

Damaged handrails

Hung denied accusation that the bridges were damaged to make it easier for district officials to use their cars. He said it was done based on public demand.

Huynh Duong Quang, party secretary of Giai Xuan Commune also said that it was for the people's health. The commune's leaders all agreed on the cause, but they had failed to issue a written notification.

On August 2, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City Le Van Tam said, "I only knew about this through newspapers. But obviously this is wrong. It's unacceptable to damage the handrails like that no matter what cause, even for ambulances."

Tam said bridges had to be safe for the people and couldn't have such unsightly look.

"The district authorities must deal with officials who committed this wrongdoing and the officials must be honest, admit the mistakes and correct it," he said.

Dtinews