Speed up drainage works, Jinjang Utara folk urge

Many telecommunication and electrical poles along Jalan Jinjang Indah 3 need to be relocated before the drainage upgrade can be completed. — SS KANESAN/The Star

ONGOING relocation of telecommunication and electrical poles is delaying drainage upgrades in Jinjang Utara, Kuala Lumpur.

In explaining the delay, community activist Yee Poh Ping said the works involving a 390m stretch of Jalan Jinjang Indah 3 started in February last year and was supposed to have been completed in seven months.

The project was undertaken by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) after frequent flooding in the area.

It involved deepening drainage in front of houses and widening the road from one to two lanes.

However, many utility poles were located atop the planned drainage works, which meant they needed to be shifted closer to the houses.

Yee said this process was delayed as the contractor had to await permission from the utility companies.

The contractor’s representative said there were at least 20 poles that needed to be moved.

“Work to relocate the poles started two months ago but there were a few that still need to be shifted.

“Some cables will also need to be rewired, which requires cutting power supply to the area for several days,” said the contractor who didn’t want to be named.

He noted that many cables in the area were more than three decades old and needed to be replaced.

“Testing is required to isolate the functional ones and replace the old wires,” he said, without giving a time frame for completion.

Yee urged the relevant parties to speed up the process.

He said the existing drainage system was unable to cope with the high volume of rainfall seen in recent years.

“The unfinished project is causing congestion and making it difficult for residents to park their vehicles,” he added.

Resident Lim Yoke Hong, 60, said, “Hopefully, the works can finish soon as they are an inconvenience and eyesore.”