MRT keeps giving surprises to Klang Valley folk
Saleh MohdPublished: Jun 10, 2014 2:48 PM | Updated: Jun 10, 2014 2:49 PM
It seems this MRT project has not stopped giving surprises to many in the Klang Valley.
It seems this MRT project has not stopped giving surprises to many in the Klang Valley.
It started with the project commencement without a complete Social Impact Assessment and Traffic Dispersal studies. The approved Environmental Impact Assessment study also has room for improvement. Then came different interpretations on the total project cost.
There have also been about 100 cases of utility damage and an undisclosed number of distressed users. The question asked was who is paying for rectification works. It has even led social activist Lee Lam Thye to write to the press on inconveniences caused by the project while not much is done to minimise the inconveniences and safety to the public.
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur had also instructed the developer to make good the damage, but they are either slow or poor in responding. In January 2014, the developer stated that public safety was its “top priority” at all the project work sites. It said that regular meetings were held with all parties to ensure strict adherence to safety practices. Obviously, this has not been adhered to.
Recently, the project developer showed interest to be the operator of the mass rapid transit system instead of Prasarana presumably to create a healthy competition. However, the CEO of Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, feels that to allow MRT Co to operate the new service is not in the best interest of the country and the industry citing costs, expertise, connectivity and optimising the capital and operating expenditure (Capex and Opex).
Creating competition is laudable and on this score, it would be better if the Klang Valley MRT Lines 2 and 3 be put up for tender to create healthy competition.
Engagements with stakeholders have left much to be desired, especially engagements with resident associations. The latest surprise being just a maildrop stating there will be construction works (starting July 2014) to build a special span crossing across the LDP Highway from an area near the 1 Utama station to Jln Burhanuddin Helmi 2 in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI). This special span was not in the original plan.
Arguably, the intention is for TTDI residents to have easy access to the 1 Utama Station. The point here is not everyone walks and where would the residents park their cars, motorbikes or bicycles? A better option would be a feeder/shuttle bus service. We in TTDI dread to think of it as a way to use the wide stretch of road at Jalan Athinahapan as parking spaces while saving cost in not providing sufficient parking spaces at the 1 Utama station.
It is hoped there will not be any more surprises and the well-being of the public and residents along the 51km track is given due consideration.
It started with the project commencement without a complete Social Impact Assessment and Traffic Dispersal studies. The approved Environmental Impact Assessment study also has room for improvement. Then came different interpretations on the total project cost.
There have also been about 100 cases of utility damage and an undisclosed number of distressed users. The question asked was who is paying for rectification works. It has even led social activist Lee Lam Thye to write to the press on inconveniences caused by the project while not much is done to minimise the inconveniences and safety to the public.
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur had also instructed the developer to make good the damage, but they are either slow or poor in responding. In January 2014, the developer stated that public safety was its “top priority” at all the project work sites. It said that regular meetings were held with all parties to ensure strict adherence to safety practices. Obviously, this has not been adhered to.
Recently, the project developer showed interest to be the operator of the mass rapid transit system instead of Prasarana presumably to create a healthy competition. However, the CEO of Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd, feels that to allow MRT Co to operate the new service is not in the best interest of the country and the industry citing costs, expertise, connectivity and optimising the capital and operating expenditure (Capex and Opex).
Creating competition is laudable and on this score, it would be better if the Klang Valley MRT Lines 2 and 3 be put up for tender to create healthy competition.
Engagements with stakeholders have left much to be desired, especially engagements with resident associations. The latest surprise being just a maildrop stating there will be construction works (starting July 2014) to build a special span crossing across the LDP Highway from an area near the 1 Utama station to Jln Burhanuddin Helmi 2 in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI). This special span was not in the original plan.
Arguably, the intention is for TTDI residents to have easy access to the 1 Utama Station. The point here is not everyone walks and where would the residents park their cars, motorbikes or bicycles? A better option would be a feeder/shuttle bus service. We in TTDI dread to think of it as a way to use the wide stretch of road at Jalan Athinahapan as parking spaces while saving cost in not providing sufficient parking spaces at the 1 Utama station.
It is hoped there will not be any more surprises and the well-being of the public and residents along the 51km track is given due consideration.
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