Sand trucks and excavators operating rampantly in Tom hamlet, Thinh Minh commune, Hoa Binh city, are causing public outrage due to dust and noise pollution. This activity takes place day and night, despite the sand storage site having been previously suspended.
Dump truck transporting sand through a residential area.
Heavy trucks carrying sand drive through residential areas, causing dust.
Illegal Sand Truck Operations
According to reports, at the sand storage site of Nguyen Duc Hoang’s sand and gravel business (Hoang Tam sand and gravel site), sand trucks and excavators operate continuously. Excavators scoop sand from the river, filling truck beds to capacity. Due to overloading, sand spills everywhere, posing a danger to road users.
From 5 PM to 10:30 PM on November 5th, dozens of sand trucks and excavators entered and exited the site. They drove through residential areas, disregarding 10-ton weight limit signs.
Residents say this situation has been ongoing for nearly a month, causing serious road degradation and the appearance of many dangerous potholes.
Sand mining site operating with trucks at 10 PM.
Sand truck and excavator operations take place even at night.
Hoang Tam Sand Site “Given Conditions”?
Notably, this sand site was previously suspended after a series of press reports in April. However, for nearly a month now, operations have “boomed” again. According to a notice circulated in the “hamlet leadership” Zalo group, the Thinh Minh Commune People’s Committee has “created conditions” for the Hoang Tam sand site to resume operations to lower the height of the sand pile within a few days.
Sand dredger at Hoang Tam site.
However, the head of Tom hamlet denied this information, claiming that the increased number of sand trucks and excavators is due to transporting sand from other sites as well. She also asserted that transportation is limited, with only 2 trucks operating each morning and afternoon.
The Vice Chairman of the Thinh Minh Commune People’s Committee stated that the commune did not direct or issue any documents agreeing to the sand site’s transportation activities.
Destination of Sand and Whose Responsibility?
According to investigations, sand trucks and excavators from the Hoang Tam site transport sand to a construction materials store in Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province. This store claims to source sand from Son Tay and does not have invoices or documents when receiving goods.
Potholes on a road damaged by heavy sand truck traffic.
Road surface damaged by overloaded sand trucks operating.
The Hoa Binh Department of Transport confirmed that no inland waterway port has been licensed to operate in the Tom hamlet area. Responsibility is attributed to the local authorities, specifically the Hoa Binh City People’s Committee.
The Chairman of the Hoa Binh City People’s Committee stated that the city has directed decisive action on this issue and that all inland waterway ports wishing to operate must comply with regulations.
Currently, the Hoa Binh City Police are verifying and clarifying the case. This is not the first time illegal sand truck and excavator operations in this area have been reported. In April 2024, the press published a series of articles reflecting this situation, after which the Hoa Binh City People’s Committee requested the illegal sites to cease operations. However, to date, this situation has recurred.
