Vientiane province awaits govt nod on budget for new town

Vientiane province is hoping the government will soon approve its budget proposal for the construction of a provincial capital.

Deputy Director of the Vientiane province Planning and Investment Department, Mr Oudong Phongphaipadith, said yesterday the proposal was submitted under the Urban and Capital Creation Project.

The province had asked for more than 1.1 billion kip to build infrastructure as a first step in its urban development plans, which centred on building a provincial capital.

“When the government approves the budget, we expect to start on the project in the middle of this year,” Mr Oudong said.

“It seems the government will give the green light for the provincial authorities to build the new town.”

Vientiane is the only province in Laos not to have a provincial capital.

Mr Oudong, who is responsible for collecting information and preparation of the project, said the urban development and new town would be built in three parts, or rounds.

The first part will be built on an area of 8,000 hectares, the second on more than 2,000 hectares, and the third on about 400 hectares.

“Construction will take place in Viengkham district. The budget of more than 1.1 billion kip will be the first step to build basic infrastructure, such as laying asphalt, building new roads, and managing land, electricity and water systems and public parks,” he said.

The project also included building new administration offices in Viengkham district and a bridge across the Nam Ngum River . Construction is expected to run from the middle of this year until 2015 over the first phase. The second phase will run from 2016 to 2020 to complete the new capital, Mr Oudong said.

“We are starting to build footpaths and roundabouts in some places, notably the junction at Phonmy and the roundabout at Phonhong,” he said.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Vientianetimes