>> New hours proposed for Gov. office workers and students to ease traffic

>> Hanoi urged to curb traffic congestion

The Ministry of Transport has requested the Hanoi People’s Committee to ban the use of roads and pavements for parking lots to ease traffic jams.

Use of the wrong traffic lanes will be strictly punished

The ministry has also asked the city not to license new taxi firms and only maintain the current numbers of taxis.

The city was also instructed to set up a board to draft and implement a project on restricting private vehicles in streets which often face traffic congestion. Hanoi needs to speed up the installation of overpasses at some major intersections and main roads.

Strict fines

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Khoi asked the municipal departments of transport and police to take drastic measures to deal with traffic violations on streets divided into specific lanes.

Hanoi police have actively tackled parking lots which occupy roads and pavements

On Pho Hue-Hang Bai, Ba Trieu, Giai Phong, Xa Dan and Tran Khat Chan-Dai and Co Viet, the departments will adjust the positioning of bus stops to suit the new lanes.

The police force will intensify inspections to deal with violations such as exceeding speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol or without wearing helmets. Any drivers found using the wrong lanes will be strictly fined.

The Transport Department will suspend operations or revoke the business licenses of parking lots which violate traffic regulations this month.

Hanoi also plans to divide an additional eight routes into lanes, including Kim Ma, Nguyen Trai-Quang Trung (in Ha Dong District), Yen Phu-Tran Quang Khai, Tran Duy Hung-Nguyen Chi Thanh, Le Van Luong, Nguyen Van Linh, Bac Thang Long-Noi Bai and Hoang Quoc Viet.