Agency proposes $8.8m budget for road rescue stations

The Directorate for Roads of Viet Nam (DRV) has submitted a proposal to the Construction Ministry on establishing nine road accident and rescue stations along national highways during 2009-15.

The VND180 billion (US$8.8 million) stations are set to be built along national highways considered traffic accident “hot spots” in Quang Ninh, Bac Kan, Dien Bien, Hai Duong, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Phu Yen and Kon Tum provinces.

During pilot phase construction in Bac Kan, Quang Binh and Phu Yen, each centre will be equipped with bulldozers, search vehicles and rescue trucks. Quang Binh to be additionally equipped with a search and rescue boat.

Total first phase investment is set to reach VND98.3 billion ($4.8 million), to be put into operation during the second quarter of 2012 after which the DRV would review and evaluate the feasibility of projects before starting Phase 2.

The DRV expects the stations to help reduce the loss of human life along Viet Nam’s motorways, which currently claim around 30 people a day, while improving facilities and equipment related to search and rescue work.

While half of road accidents occur on national roads connecting cities and provinces, search and rescue services along these routes have remained substandard, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee. — VNS