Construction workers from prominent firms Vattanac and Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC) almost came to blows on Monday for allegedly infringing on each other’s neighbouring worksites, where both companies are building underground parking.

The firms are building separate parking lots for their respective buildings – Vattanac Capital and Canadia Tower – both near the corner of Monivong and Russian boulevards. Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Ieng Aunny said Vattanac’s construction crew had occupied some land next to their construction site with materials and equipment, inadvertently blocking OCIC workers. Tempers flared on Monday after Vattanac workers took away the key of an OCIC vehicle trying to pass through.

“If we did not intervene in time, it could have been very violent, because each site had more than 20 people, and they were angry and [ready] for confrontation,” he said.

Aunny said the situation was de-escalated on Monday by local authorities, and after a meeting yesterday with involved parties it was decided that neither firm would use the previously blocked land. “Now the two companies cannot go through this conflict area. They can work through another spot,” Aunny said. “If they cannot deal with it, it will go to City Hall [to decide].”

The two firms are currently building the city’s first underground parking lots, with Vattanac’s expected to be completed in 18 months and OCIC’s in one year. OCIC project manager Touch Samnang yesterday maintained there was no problem, while Vattanac Capital’s leasing manager, Thavrith Lim, declined to comment.