Large sinkhole in Sri Damansara worries residents

The Airie resident Norazman Mohamed Arshad and Lai (behind Norazman) showing the severity of the sinkhole in Jalan Persiaran Meranti, Bandar Sri Damansara.

HUNDREDS of residents are having sleepless nights due to a large sinkhole at the entrance of their luxury semi-detached bungalows in Bandar Sri Damansara in Petaling Jaya.

They claimed there were signs of the road caving in several metres away from the affected site just days before the incident.

However, they said about 60m of Jalan Persiaran Meranti gave way after a downpour at the end of November last year.

Airie Joint Management Body chairman Jason Lai said the residents had exhausted all their avenues to address the problem.

Prior to the 6pm incident, Lai said water from the rain streamed down from an elevated road nearby, which they claimed might have caused the sinkhole. “Some guards who saw the incident said the road caved in within seconds.

“Since then, workers from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) have been stationed on duty around the clock just metres away from our guard house.

“Jalan Persiaran Meranti connects to SMK Bandar Sri Damansara (2) and visitors to the school can no longer use this road and it has also affected a Rapid KL bus service,” said Lai.

A check by StarMetro revealed that the sinkhole was much larger and had been cordoned off with road barriers and tape. Exposed soil and broken road debris were still visible at the site.

The sinkhole had spread into parts of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) located nearby the The Airie gated and guarded neighbourhood.

Residents said the sinkhole had since worsened and were worried that a billboard near the site may topple on the NKVE.

“MBPJ failed to give any constructive feedback on the repair work. Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong’s representative also visited the site but we have not received any feedback.

“It has been more than eight weeks and we do not see any sign of repairs being done,” he added.

The Airie consists of 79 bungalows.

An MBPJ spokesman said they were aware of the problem had and advertised for an open tender bidding for the repair work.

“We must have an open tender bidding because it is a big project.

“Submissions for the project will close by Jan 24,” said the spokesman.

The repair work will include slope strengthening and drainage repair.