Road to Boeung Kak development to displace more families.

APLANNED flyover that would link central Phnom Penh with the controversial Boeung Kak Lake development could displace more than 50 families who previously believed they would be unaffected by the massive real estate project, residents and officials said Wednesday.

Duong Sim, deputy chief of Srah Chak commune’s Village 3, said residents were told at a meeting with commune officials on May 19 that the flyover would likely cut through his village, forcing out at least 51 of 220 families.

He said design plans indicate that the flyover would stretch from near the corner of Kampuchea Krom Boulevard and Street 169 over the railway tracks and into the lake area.

“Until now, I have not yet received any directions from the commune or district authorities to tell the villagers whose houses are affected by the project to come meet or discuss the issue,” said Duong Sim, who added that unidentified officials came to the village this week to take measurements.

Authorities have been tightlipped on details of the project, which could lead to the evictions of 4,000 families living around Boeung Kak Lake.

But a previously released map detailing the boundaries of the development appeared to suggest it would not affect communities living south of the railway tracks that border the lake’s southern edge.

Village 3, however, sits between the tracks and Russian Confederation Boulevard, so the planned roads leading into the development could boost the number of families impacted by the project.

Earlier this week City Hall approved plans to build three of 12 roads, including an estimated US$7 million overpass.

City officials declined to comment on Wednesday, but Srah Chak commune chief Chay Thirith confirmed that the May 19 meeting with Village 3 families took place.

“I know the road construction plan in the Boeung Kak area will affect many people’s homes outside the Boeung Kak development project, including Village 3, but I have not yet spread this information to the people because I have not received directions from higher-level authorities,” he said.

Village 3 residents interviewed Wednesday said they would not object to being relocated, provided they receive sufficient compensation.

Ngin Euv Chuo said she would settle for a first-floor flat in a partially built housing project in Borei Keila.

Kem Yin said he would move if he received the “free market price” for his property.