Clear the drains and complete the Jinjang Flood Mitigation Project

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Media Statement
by Dr Tan Seng Giaw
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(Kuala Lumpur, Sunday) : I press the Government to complete the Jinjang section of the Batu and Jinjang Flood Ponds Project,and clean the drains around the construction site, so as to solve the problems of flash floods and traffic congestion.

I made the call on 22 April, 2007,after reviewing the traffic jam at the Jinjang section of the Kepong Road and the flash flooding in the New Jinjang Garden.

Kuala Lumpur has the Flood Mitigation Project with two packages, the Smart Tunnel Project as well as the Batu and Jinjang Flood Ponds Project. The Smart Tunnel costs RM 2.167 billion. The date of completion has been extended to 30 June, 2007, being late by 6 months. The Flood Ponds Project requires RM 805 million. It is delayed by 7 months. The date of completion is fixed on 27 December, 2007.

We don't know whether the two packages will be able to prevent serious floods. Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) says that they will prevent flooding such as the 1971 great flood. This type of flooding is said to be once in a hundred years.Some don't believe that they can prevent similar flood.

The Flood Ponds Project affects the Jinjang section of the Kepong Road. There has been a diversion for over two years, causing traffic congestion.The works has effects on nearby drains, contributing to flash floods at the New Jinjang Garden. 

DID must complete the Flood Ponds Project as soon as possible without sacrificing the quality of works, and solve the difficulties between the contractor and the subcontractors. Meanwhile, City Hall KL must investigate the condition of the surrounding drains, to find out the cause of flash floods with a view to preventing them.

(22/4/2007)