Many manhole covers and pieces of lighting equipment along streets in Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Ho Chi Minh City have been stolen, causing public security and road safety problems, according to Dai Quang Minh Corporation, the developer of the urban area. 

The stolen hardware and equipment include drainage grates, gully grates, and hatch covers.

All of them had been installed on R1, R2, R3, and R4 Streets -- major routes connecting areas of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Thu Duc City across the Saigon River from District 1. 

The construction of the four routes, worth a total of VND8.2 trillion (US$348.78 million), started in February 2014 and was expected to reach completion after 36 months.

However, only 85 percent of the work had been finished as of February 2023, due in part to a halt in February 2017 caused by issues involving site clearance and compensation.

In addition to the manhole covers, all lighting equipment, traffic signal control cabinets, and bridge railings were also secretly taken from the mentioned roads.

Dai Quang Minh Corporation has reported incidents where the thieves aggressively resisted the firm’s security forces, resulting in injuries and the hospitalization of security personnel. 

In response to the situation, the company has consistently issued official requests to relevant authorities seeking solutions and support to better deal with the theft.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has recently urged police in Thu Duc City to provide assistance and take action against theft targeting property, supplies, and equipment along the roads within the mentioned project area, with the aim of ensuring traffic order and safety. 

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