Numerous complaints have been lodged with various agencies about the overgrown tree branches and shrubs falling onto the ramp opposite Phileo Damansara in Section 16, Petaling Jaya. — ART CHEN/The Star
YEAR in, year out, motorists using the ramp opposite Phileo Damansara in Section 16, Petaling Jaya, face the problem of overgrown foliage encroaching into the road and partly obstructing their way.
Numerous complaints to the Sprint Highway management Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings (Litrak), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) about the overgrown tree branches and shrubs falling onto the ramp space have been made but action to clear it would only be taken after much delay.
The matter had been highlighted several times in StarMetro, with the area identified as being under DBKL’s jurisdiction.
However, pruning is not the issue, said DBKL when contacted.
A spokesperson said although the trees and shrubs are growing from land under DBKL’s jurisdiction, trimming and maintenance works in the area were complex.
He said that due to the location which bordered Sprint Highway, the tree trimming contractors would have to request permission from Litrak to gain access to the area.
StarMetro’s report on Aug 12,2019.
“DBKL is unable to appoint a contractor to do scheduled maintenance like in other areas, due to the access limitation.
“At present, maintenance is done upon receiving a complaint, which causes a delay as we would have to appoint a contractor and request permission to access the Sprint Highway, ” he said.
Litrak communications head Shah Rizal Mohamed Fawzi, when contacted, said the company had yet to receive an official request from DBKL to allow contractors to access the area.
However, he said Litrak would be glad to cooperate and assist DBKL in the matter.
“There is no hassle; after all, this is for the safety of our highway users as well.
“We had assisted DBKL with their tree pruning works at Sri Hartamas in terms of the traffic management plan to ensure highway users’ safety earlier this month, ” he said.
Shah Rizal explained that a permit was needed for any maintenance work done on the highway, for the company to monitor as well as ensure smooth traffic and safety.
Continental Management Resources Sdn Bhd executive administrator S. Shantini, who works at Phileo Damansara 2, wrote to StarMetro to highlight the problem.
She said her employer, managing director Saravanan Sangaralingam, was very concerned about the danger the overgrown foliage posed to road users and had asked her to follow up on the matter.
“I first filed a complaint with MBPJ on Sept 4 and was directed to contact Sprint Highway management instead.
“I complained to Sprint Highway management on Sept 8.
“When I followed up a month later, an employee responded that the overgrown foliage was DBKL’s responsibility.
“He said they had assisted DBKL to trim the trees and clear the road in the past but they were reluctant to do so again.
“Following this, I complained to DBKL via its website on Oct 8.
“After much delay, DBKL informed me on Nov 3 that tree trimming works would be done by Nov 14, but thus far nothing has happened.
“The authorities need to coordinate and be proactive in maintaining the foliage on that strip before anything untoward happens, ” she said.
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