Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Illegal dumpingof waste and building materials has resumed on the banks of the Hong (Red)River, infuriating local residents after the problem seemed to have beenbrought under control.

Local authorities are reportedly stillstruggling to find new ways to track down people who pollute the river.

In Tay Ho district’s Nhat Tan ward, piles ofconstruction waste towering five metres high have appeared over the pastfew months.

The waste was transported and illegally dumpedby trucks operating at night to avoid detection.

Nguyen Van Binh, a resident of Nhat Tan ward’s Bacvillage, said illegal dumping had started up again in the area.

“A convoy of trucks carrying construction wasteoperate day and night. When residents protest, they simply switch to operatingonly at night,” Binh said, adding that clashes had occurred between drivers andlocal residents.

The issues had been reported to authorities, butnothing was done. That’s why the waste had kept piling up, he said.

Dumping in the area has caused serious impactsby encroaching on agricultural land and the riverbed and blocking the river.

In the rainy season, it becomes a major obstaclefor flood drainage and causes serious pollution.

Construction waste, together with domesticwaste, has transformed the area into a dump with a horrible odour.

Hoa Thi Kieu, a resident on Tan Ap street,complained that the smell was even worse on sunny days. She said she hoped authoritieswould get serious and collect the waste.

To Ngoc Vu, a resident of Nhat Tan ward, raiseddoubts over how much authorities were doing to stop the illegal activity.

Vu said tens of trucks went in and out of thearea every day, creating a mountain of waste.

The issue had been raised several times, sothere was no way authorities were unaware of the problem, Vu said.

Dang Huu Tien, Vice Chairman of the Nhat Tan WardPeople’s Committee, said they had taken efforts to stamp out violations in thearea.

Tien said the committee had installed barriersto block trucks from entering the area and installed cameras to deterviolations.

Officers were also keeping a close watch forviolations. However, a shortage of officers made the work difficult.

Tien said the site was managed by flower-growinghouseholds, and the committee would examine the situation and consult localpolice if needed.

Last month, Chairman of the Hanoi People’sCommittee Nguyen Duc Chung asked the People’s Committees of Ba Dinh and Tay Hodistricts to clarify and deter violations on illegal dumping along the RedRiver.

Violations would be prosecuted if needed.Leaders of the localities where violations took place would also have to takeresponsibility for the problem, he said.-VNS/VNA