All boats and floating houses have to be removed from West Lake by February 20 (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - All boats and floating houses should beremoved from the West Lake in Hanoi by February 20, local authorities haveconfirmed.
The Thuy Khe ward People’s Committee said at a meeting withrelevant agencies and representatives of tourism boats last week that failureto meet this deadline will invite strict punishment, including forced removal.
At the meeting, representatives of tourism boats and floatinghomes agreed with the city’s policy, but proposed that local authorities payadequate compensation to businesses that have been operating on the West Lake.
They also asked local authorities to consider permitting movingpiers, steel bridges and boats to new positions.
However, leaders of the Thuy Khe ward People’s Committee rejectedthe request for compensation saying they were handling violations, not siteclearance.
Inspections of business operations and safety of boats andfloating houses on West Lake found that the operating licence oninland wharves of all floating works and registration of some vehicles hadexpired.
The Hanoi People’s Committee had asked Tay Ho district authoritiesto ban business operations, sports activities and aquaculture on West Lakein the first quarter of the year.
Local authorities had asked businesses to move to a planned newbusiness area in Dam Bay, Nhat Tan ward, Tay Ho district. The new area isequipped with clean water pipes, electricity and parking areas, creating idealconditions for doing business, according to the authorities.
However, the enterprises complained that the construction of thenew area was yet to be completed and they would have to cancel a lot of tours,causing huge losses. Many businesses remained in their old locations.
On February 7, the Thuy Khe ward People’s Committee sent anofficial message asking businesses to remove all boats and floating housesbefore 4pm on February 9.
But boat owners have yet to comply with the order.
According to Hanoi People’s Committee, 13 businesses are stilloperating on the lake with tour boats, duck boats and canoes, as well asfloating houses and structures, such as access bridges.-VNA
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All boats and floating houses have to be removed from West Lake by February 20 (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)
