VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has issued a nationwide directive requiring heavy transport operators to follow dust control measures and reduce vehicle speeds when passing through residential areas, citing concerns over public health and safety.
In a notice sent on January 26 to provincial departments and Vientiane authorities, the ministry instructed officials to intensify oversight of transport companies and construction contractors.
Under the directive, all businesses transporting minerals, soil, rocks, sand, or large volumes of goods—particularly on unpaved, dirt, or gravel roads—must comply with mandatory mitigation measures.
These include regular water spraying to suppress dust, significantly reduced speeds when passing through residential areas, and maintaining safe distances between vehicles to minimise dust clouds.
The ministry says these measures are consistent with existing Environmental and Social Impact Assessment requirements and are not optional.
To ensure compliance, the ministry has instructed the relevant authorities to take action against violators. Penalties will be applied in stages, beginning with official warnings for first-time or minor offences.
Continued non-compliance will result in fines, while repeated violations may lead to larger fines and the suspension or permanent shutdown of transport operations.
Officials say the notice reflects mounting complaints from people living alongside unpaved or partially paved roads, where dust pollution and speeding heavy vehicles pose risks to public health and safety.
Residents of three villages in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane, are calling for urgent action to address worsening road conditions and dust pollution caused by soil-hauling trucks.
People living in Champa, Viengkham and Chansavang villages say that constant heavy-truck traffic has left roads coated in dust, which fills the air whenever vehicles pass by.
Trucks carrying soil frequently exit construction sites without cleaning their wheels, spreading dirt and debris across roads.
In response, local residents and road users are urging transport business operators to take responsibility for the impacts of their activities. They are calling for mandatory wheel washing before trucks leave construction sites to prevent mud from being dragged onto streets, as well as immediate cleaning of roads affected by transport operations.
Residents also say transport activities should not come at the expense of community well-being. They warned that continued neglect could lead to long-term health issues and a decline in the overall cleanliness of the urban environment.
Observers say the growing frustration in Sikhottabong district highlights the public pressure behind the government’s decision to tighten up the rules around transport companies.
People are urging local authorities to ensure that contractors comply with the regulations and that violations are addressed promptly, saying that clean roads and safe living conditions are a shared responsibility of both businesses and regulators. - Vientiane Times/ANN
