The Ministry of Public Works and Transport launched a phone app on Thursday which allows the people to report problems with the country’s roads directly to the ministry in a big leap forward for road safety in the Kingdom.

The ministry’s director of information technology and public relations, Heang Sotheayuth, introduced the Road Care Mobile App at a launch event in the capital.

He said people living and working in Cambodia can use the application to directly report problems such as potholes so that issues can be inspected and fixed in a timely fashion.

“Reporting damaged roads requires the attachment of a photo or a short video clip with a confirmation of the location so that our agents can easily forward the information to our road fixing teams,” he said.

Sotheayuth said all road users can download the app and register using their Google accounts. He emphasised that all new accounts must be registered using a phone number and Facebook account that belongs to the user.

He said the app is currently available in Google Play so all people using Android system devices can now download the app. It is not currently available for iPhone users, but a future expansion is being considered.

Senior minister Sun Chanthol chaired the launch of the app, saying its creation aims to improve road quality and safety nationwide, as people are able to help improve the reporting and resolution of issues.

“Road Care Mobile App is very important for boosting the development of Cambodia via public participation to reduce road accidents caused by holes and road damage. This will help the people to travel safely."

“This app is a great achievement for the Cambodians who created it. It is the first app of its kind available in the Kingdom, as well as the first of its kind in Asean. Many countries around the world do not have such an app as yet,” he said.

Chanthol appealed to Cambodia’s road technical management, road maintenance unit and road fixer teams to continue to work together to improve the construction and maintenance of the Kingdom’s roads.

He also encouraged people using the app to fully participate in reporting damaged roads and to ensure that the information provided is reliable in order to improve safety for all.

Maintenance contracts between the ministry and two Chinese companies for the upkeep of National Roads 1 and 6 were also confirmed at the event.

Zhejiang Dacheng Construction Group Co Ltd signed a contract to maintain a 48km stretch of National Road 1 between Neak Leung and Svay Chrum, while Guangdong Provincial Changda Highway Engineering Co Ltd will maintain a 46km stretch of National Road 6 between Siem Reap town and Kralanh district.