Preah Sihanouk to remove more than 1,000 shophouses for flood mitigation

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Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall will demolish more than 1,000 illegally built shophouses and homes along the banks of canals and on the sidewalks in Sihanoukville to facilitate flood mitigation projects. Bou Vathana, deputy director of the provincial inter-sector department, said yesterday the authorities plan to widen the canals and tear down the shophouses and homes built on sections which have been earmarked for the projects.

 

“The projects will affect more than 1,000 homes, some of which will be completely demolished while portions of others which encroach into the project sites will be removed,” he said. “About 300 homes are to be completely torn down.” Mr Vathana said that provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun wanted to protect the city from flooding during heavy rains.

 

“We met the affected residents a month ago to explain the situation and will issue eviction letters before tearing down the houses of those who do not agree to move out on their own,” he added. “Those who have illegally built their houses along the canals have agreed to take down the structures on their own.” Mr Vathana said Mr Chamroeun is looking into providing social land concessions to those who will be homeless or to those who are poor.

 

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