Pasalao

Authorities prohibit development along Xaysettha district road

People in three villages surrounding a road being rebuilt in Xaysettha district of Vientiane have been prohibited from constructing homes or businesses for 50 metres on either side of the road reserve.

The prohibition on construction has sparked fears that the land will be resumed for sale to fund the road construction as officials have so far failed to announce their plans for the land.

Many residents hope that Vientiane authorities will tell them the real reason they are prohibited from undertaking any developments rather than being evasive about the issue.

The authorities have told residents they are only conducting surveys rather than planning to convert the land into capital, but they have still prohibited people from building any new houses or shops.

Local residents say it would be better if the authorities held discussions with them and if they want to develop the area along the road to fund construction works they should arrange necessary compensation for affected residents.

Vientiane authorities made a survey of land along the road back in April, covering a stretch 11 kilometres long and 50 metres wide on both sides of the road.

The three villages of Nahai, Dongkhamxang and Xiengda are located along this road in the That Luang marsh area and more than 80 percent of the land is already developed with houses.

Deputy District Governor of Xaysettha Mr Phouttaphone Khotpanya and land surveyors told the private land owners that they only want to know how many plots of land are owned by the state and how many are privately owned.

Meanwhile residents say it is not the same as it was 30 years ago and many people are better educated so they will not unquestioningly believe everything the authorities sa y.

The survey of land plots in these villages took about two weeks to complete. Work at that time raised some concerns among the residents who feared that this might lead to them being relocated.

A few Vientiane authorities have said that they were not planning to take the land away from the people; they only surveyed it to prepare for further development in the area someday but the future use of the land remains unclear.

An official from Xaysettha District Office Mr Phouthong Lattanavong told Vientiane Times on Monday that the prohibition on construction in the three villages was announced by former Vientiane Mayor Mr Soukanh Mahalath and has been effective since April.

“So far, this announcement is not cancelled so the authorities will not allow people to further construct houses or other shops,” Mr Phouthong said.

Families in these villages are now frightened that the authorities will grab their land and pay limited compensation so they will be unable to purchase replacement land elsewhere.

By Times Reporters 
(Latest Update July 08, 2014)

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/freeCont_Authorities%20prohibit.htm