Grand gate encroaches on highway land: Serious, prolonged violations, why no local action?

A significant encroachment on the safety corridor of National Highway 25 in Gia Lai province, Vietnam, has persisted despite repeated official interventions. A residential fence and gate, along with a small park and green space, were constructed on land designated for the highway's safety zone, specifically at Km164+150 in Ia Hrú commune.

The violations were initially documented on June 13, 2024, by the Chu Se Road Management Unit and the Commune 138 People's Committee. At that time, the structure, belonging to Mr. N.X.A., involved building a brick and cement wall within the road's corridor and digging a drainage ditch. Subsequent inspections on August 12 and August 27, 2024, revealed continued construction, including earth filling and the planting of trees, further encroaching on the corridor.

Despite multiple reports and the issuance of violation records, local authorities in HBong commune and the former Chu Se district have failed to address the issue decisively. The Gia Lai Department of Transport (former) issued a formal notice on February 14, 2025, urging the People's Committee of Chu Se district to resolve the violation. The department assessed the encroachment as serious, noting the homeowner's lack of cooperation and the local government's insufficient enforcement, which allowed the illegal construction to continue.

The situation remained unresolved even after administrative changes at the district level, with the responsibility eventually falling to the current Ia Hrú Commune People's Committee. The prolonged delay and lack of decisive action have allowed the unauthorized structures to remain in place, raising questions about the effectiveness of local governance and enforcement mechanisms in protecting public infrastructure.