Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has asked relevant ministries, agencies, and localities where the North-South Expressway passes through to tighten management over the licensing of mineral exploration and exploitation for use as construction materials in expressway projects.

Localities have been ordered to publicize prices of construction materials and transportation costs for better management and to regularly inspect and strictly punish organizations and individuals found to be hoarding and increasing prices of construction materials supplied to projects.

Contractors are directed to register the volume of exploited minerals with authorized agencies and commit to protect the environment and conduct subsequent restoration after mining activities are completed.

The construction of ten component projects of the North-South Expressway needs around 17.1 million cu m of stone, 8.95 million cu m of sand, and 45.3 million of soil, according to the Ministry of Transport.