A view of Phnom Penh skyline. Yousos Apdoulrashim
Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his gratitude for the peaceful conditions that Cambodia was able to achieve which have led to the nation’s development and modernisation – especially in Phnom Penh, where the skyline has changed vastly over the years as high-rise buildings have sprung up everywhere along with infrastructure improvements.
“All of this development would never have happened if our country didn’t have peace. Therefore, peace is invaluable,” he said.
Hun Sen’s reflections on the progress of development in the Kingdom were published in a Facebook post along with pictures of new skyscrapers and other construction in the capital.
“These are some sky views of Phnom Penh – which is the heart of Cambodia – taken in January this year. These perspectives are completely different from anything seen in the past, reflecting the fact that in recent years Phnom Penh has been changing its face very fast with the growing presence of high-rise buildings reaching up to the clouds.
“In the future, more development will come and things will be even better than they are now,” he wrote.
One sign of the capital’s rapid development has been the huge increase in the number of ceremonial groundbreaking and inaugural openings of construction projects for infrastructure and other public works taking place throughout the year.
The latest of these events was recently announced by the capital administration. In a press release, it said Hun Sen will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony on a road construction project in the capital and traffic will therefore be blocked at the site in question from 6am until the end of the event.
The municipal hall’s notice also informed the public that traffic will be diverted there long-term starting on January 31 on roads in Khlaing Saing village of Russey Keo commune and district while a new overpass is constructed.
“All vehicles travelling on National Road 5 en route to Phnom Penh have to detour at the Prek Pnov Bridge or St 598.
“Vehicles leaving Phnom Penh must take the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge to Chroy Changvar and continue on National Road 6.
“Inbound traffic from Chroy Changvar must take OCIC Blvd and the Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge,” the administration stated.
Meas Chandy, senior consultant for road safety NGO CAMSAFE, said the temporary inconvenience from the construction was well worth the trouble because the increased number of overpasses has already eased traffic jams and reduced the number of accidents involving pedestrians.
