Khanh Hoa province seeks high-speed rail route change to protect ancient towers

Khanh Hoa province is urging the Ministry of Construction to reconsider the alignment of the North-South high-speed rail project, specifically a section that threatens the Hoa Lai tower, a significant national heritage site. The province's provincial People's Committee has formally requested a review, highlighting potential irreversible damage to the ancient Champa ruins.

The Hoa Lai tower, recognized as a special national heritage site in 2016, is a remarkably well-preserved example of Champa architecture in the South Central region. It holds immense historical, cultural, artistic, and archaeological value. The province is currently developing a conservation plan for the site, which includes defining protection zones totaling approximately 4.93 hectares.

During the planning process, provincial officials reviewed the feasibility study for the high-speed rail project. They discovered that the planned elevated section between kilometers 1,246 and 1,247 would pass through an area adjacent to the Hoa Lai towers, directly affecting the designated Zone II protection area. This proximity raises serious concerns about the impact on the site's cultural landscape, architectural views, and overall integrity.

Provincial authorities emphasized that large-scale infrastructure projects near heritage sites pose a risk to the historical and cultural environment. Potential impacts include damage to unexcavated archaeological layers and the core elements of the site during construction activities like foundation work and pile driving. Furthermore, the high-speed rail's operational characteristics, such as significant dynamic loads, frequent use, and high speeds, could generate vibrations and noise, potentially compromising the structural stability and material integrity of the ancient towers.