By Afzainizan Azman
SHAH ALAM, May 29 — The Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) is taking necessary steps to expedite the completion of the Jalan Kapar flood mitigation project, which has been delayed by underground utility relocation works and is contributing to traffic congestion in the area.
MBDK Corporate Communications director Norfiza Mahfiz said the council had issued official letters to relevant agencies on May 12 to speed up documentation and utility relocation works to ensure the project could be completed as soon as possible.
She said the delay occurred after additional utilities were discovered during construction that were not included in the initial planning.
“A series of technical meetings have also been coordinated, with the latest meeting on May 8 producing several outcomes,” she said in a statement to Media Selangor.
Among other matters, Norfiza said Gas Malaysia Bhd had informed that it is awaiting the appointment of a contractor for pipeline relocation works.
She said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is still preparing a Rechargeable Job Order (RJO) — a service request for electrical works such as utility relocation — and has requested that the RJO application form be resubmitted under MBDK’s name.
“TNB has also proposed that the new cable routing method be carried out via open cut,” she said.
Open cut is a construction method in which the ground is excavated along the full route to install utilities before the area is backfilled and restored.
Norfiza said a representative from Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) informed that it is still awaiting feedback from the operator regarding a cut fibre optic cable at the site.
Meanwhile, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) has requested that its contractor provide temporary protection for exposed pipes, and said pipe relocation will use the open cut method and be routed over a slab.
Yesterday, FMT reported that residents of Taman Seri Sementa, Taman Klang Perdana and Kampung Perepat in Klang were frustrated over delays in the Jalan Kapar flood mitigation project due to utility relocation works, which have also worsened traffic congestion.
Construction of a new drainage system near Taman Sungai Kapar Indah, which began on September 3 last year, was originally scheduled for completion in March but was later pushed to August. It is now reported that completion could be further delayed until next year.
Previously, road users had two exit routes towards Klang or Kapar, but the project has since closed the Klang-bound lane, leaving only one exit route.
Traffic lights along the route have worsened congestion, with motorists forced to queue for U-turns at a nearby junction due to short green-light durations amid increasing traffic volume.
To address congestion, Norfiza said temporary traffic lights will be installed in the area from today.
She clarified that costs linked to utilities were included in the original design, but additional utilities were discovered during construction, and the associated costs would be borne under the project.
