HCM City (VNA) – The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committeeof Ho Chi Minh City held a conference on December 8 to collect public feedbackon a draft scheme on the pilot control of motorbike emissions in the city.

The scheme was built by the municipal Transport Department followinga joint study in partnership with the Vietnam Association of MotorcycleManufacturers and the Institute of Transport Science and Technology to measure emissionsand support maintenance at eight motorbike agents in District 1, District 3,Phu Nhuan and Tan Phu districts since May.

Over 10,600 motorbikes have so far undergone emission tests,which showed most motorbikes failed to meet emission standards after five yearsof use. However, after maintenance, their emissions have met the standards.

According to the municipal Transport Department, Ho Chi MinhCity is now home to over 7.4 million motorised two-wheelers, 67 percent of themare still on the road after more than 10 years of use.

The study showed that the city could reduce over 50,000tonnes of carbon monoxide and 4,400 tonnes of hydrocarbon each year if it cancontrol motorbike emissions.

Under the draft, the implementation of the scheme will bedivided into preparatory stage in 2021, pilot stage in 2022-2023, partlyimplementation in 2024-2025 and full implementation from 2026. Total costs to2030 are estimated at 553 billion VND (24 million USD), which will be spent on building166 inspection stations and a database, among others.  

Deputy Director of the municipal Transport Department BuiHoa An said apart from reducing pollution, the scheme also aims to gradually limitcongestion and accidents in the city.

Experts supported the building of the scheme, but noted thatthe collected statistics for it are not sufficient and reliable enough. Theyalso said solutions proposed by the scheme are not suitable, as they havefailed to involve vehicle producers./.