General view of the meeting.
The Hanoi People's Committee on July 7 co-chaired a working session to review the progress of environmental sanitation and landscape renovation along both banks of the To Lich River, and the plan to replenish water for the river.
According to Director of the Hanoi Department of Construction Nguyen Phi Thuong, Phase I of the riverbed dredging project – stretching from Hoang Quoc Viet Street to Khuong Dinh Bridge – has been completed.
This section covers about 7 kilometers, with approximately 49,914 cubic meters of mud removed.
Phase II, from Khuong Dinh Bridge to Long Quang Pagoda, is expected to be completed in August 2025.
This segment is 5 kilometers long with an estimated 11,800 cubic meters of sludge to be removed.
Regarding the connection of 63 remaining sewage outlets along the To Lich River, from Hoang Quoc Viet to the To Lich floodgate, 19 have been connected and work is underway on 42 more.
The goal is to finish construction on all outlets by the end of July 2025 so that surface restoration and beautification can be completed in August.
As for the section from the floodgate to the river's confluence with the Nhue River, about 10 outlets remain on the right bank of the To Lich, and around 63 on the lower left bank of the Kim Nguu River.
The Project Management Board is currently researching a separate project for this area, which will be integrated into the Yen Xa wastewater treatment project.
The Department of Construction has also instructed the city's Technical Infrastructure Management Center and contractors to regularly maintain landscaping along Lang Street and both banks of the To Lich River.
This includes caring for ornamental trees, shrubbery, and grass in accordance with city regulations to ensure cleanliness and aesthetics.
For water replenishment, the city will initially use treated water from the West Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In the long term, the Department of Construction is working with consultants to explore options for drawing water from the Red River.
According to Deputy Chairmen Nguyen Trong Dong and Duong Duc Tuan, all wards along the To Lich River to complete sidewalk paving, railing installation, and tree planting on both banks no later than August 30.
Construction sites must be cleaned and the surface restored immediately upon the completion of work at each outlet.
Construction department director Nguyen Phi Thuong speaks at the meeting.
Dong also urged local wards to enhance public communication efforts, encouraging residents to maintain sanitation and dispose of waste in designated areas.
The Departments of Agriculture and Environment were tasked with promptly installing waste bins along both banks of the river to help maintain cleanliness.
In the immediate future, and in line with national leaders' directives to revive the To Lich River, special attention must be paid to the plan to supplement the river's water flow.
If water from West Lake is used, its volume and quality must be carefully studied to avoid altering the hydrological or ecological balance of the river.
In addition, cooperation with the To Lich floodgate system at the downstream area near the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant is required to create additional water sources for the river.
The larger proposal of using water from the Red River to replenish both West Lake and the To Lich River must be closely monitored.
All aspects of the project, including total investment, cost components, operating and maintenance expenses, must be clearly assessed.
Environmental conditions in West Lake must be strictly controlled to avoid any negative ecological impacts when new water sources are introduced.