Friendly bridge raises alarm [-A Friendship bridge to FORCED EVICTIONS???]

Construction work on a new Chinese-funded bridge over the Tonle Sap river continues in Phnom Penh. Residents affected by the project feel excluded from decisions about their resettlement. Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Friday, 09 September 2011 15:03
Khouth Sophakchakrya
The Phnom Penh Post

Families who will be relocated to make way for a new Cambodian-Chinese friendship bridge said yesterday they were still being excluded from the process that will decide their resettlement.

Residents of Chroy Changvar commune, in the capital’s Russei Keo district, where more than 200 families are affected by the construction of the bridge, said they had not even been informed of an official meeting to discuss the resettlement process.

Municipal officials yesterday met with representatives from an inter-ministerial committee monitoring the project’s impact on local villagers.

Chan Sopheak, 29, a resident of Doem Kor village, said families living near the bridge construction site were becoming increasingly alarmed as construction progressed.

Don't say we didn't warn you: Use it at your own risk

A bridge in the province of Pursat. Even though the sign on the bridge reads: "Old bridge (about to collapse)" the water buffaloes go about their business as usual, crossing the bridge, and so are the human beings. (Photo credit: Karuna Heng, photo posted online)