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In response to media enquiries regarding the progress of the clearance operation for Choi Yuen Tsuen today (November 4), a Government spokesman said that the operation has completed smoothly.
The spokesman said the phased clearance operation of Choi Yuen Tsuen, which was meant to facilitate the works of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HK Express Rail Link (XRL) project, had started last month. Some villagers and business undertakings have already moved out from Choi Yuen Tsuen. The main target of today's operation was to resume structures vacated by the villagers and business undertakings as well as agricultural and vacant land. The operation on the whole processed smoothly and peacefully.
The Government has stated repeatedly that it will handle the land resumption matter in a humane manner and has all along been giving assistance to the affected villagers. During today's operation, some villagers indicated that they needed more time to prepare for moving out. After taking into consideration of their special needs, the Government has offered a grace period of approximately two weeks for the villagers.
During these two weeks, the Lands Department officers will continue to maintain communication with the villagers and understand their needs and the progress of their moving plan, and provide assistance.
The spokesman said, "We shall notify villagers the exact date of the next operation by posting notices. We shall continue to handle individual cases in a humane manner provided that the progress of the XRL project would not be adversely affected. However, we cannot extend the grace period indefinitely. The villagers should cooperate with the Government and genuinely implement their plan of moving out from the village."
"To avoid delay in the construction work, we shall make the best use of time and start rail construction works, mainly the preparatory works, such as site formation, on the resumed land immediately."
The construction works at Choi Yuen Tsuen is a key part of the XRL project and involves the diversion of the rivercourse. As the construction at CYT has to be completed in the dry season, the Administration has to grasp time to carry out the works.
Ends/Thursday, November 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:46
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