A huge hole on the side of Jalan Kelang Lama is now filled with water. The project site has been left abandoned for almost three years. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Work on an abandoned drainage upgrading project in front of 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Kelang Lama morning market in Kuala Lumpur is set to resume soon.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) contractors were seen carrying out cleaning work at the site, which had been left neglected for almost three years.
Initial work started late 2019 but the project came to an abrupt halt with construction materials such as pipes, road barriers and steel sheets left at the roadside in front of the market.
A recent visit by StarMetro revealed that some of the steel sheets and road barriers were rusting and disintegrating after being exposed to the elements.
A gaping hole in the ground was filled with rainwater and had become a mosquito-breeding ground.
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Some road barriers placed around the site had broken apart, with some displaced down the road.
Road barriers left at the site are obstructing the front of the market.
Vegetation growing on construction debris indicated that it had been left unattended for a long time.
When contacted, DBKL Public Works and Drainage Department director Mohamad Yasin Jamaludin said work would resume soon with a new expected completion date of either early or middle of next year.
“Site cleaning has started and work to connect the 1,200mm box culverts will begin.
“The project was delayed because we did not anticipate finding some sewerage pipes buried underground.
“We carried out utility mapping before starting the project, but utility mapping can only detect materials made from steel pipes, not asbestos pipes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jalan Kelang Lama Morning Market Traders Association chairman Koh Yoke Kook said the project was meant to put an end to flash floods which occurred around the market area when it rained.
“But work stopped during the movement control order and never resumed, so the area is now a bit of an eyesore,” she said.
Resident Louis Cheong had written to StarMetro to highlight the stalled project and wanted to know why it had been left abandoned.
Another resident, Veronica Yap, said the project site was encroaching onto the main road of Jalan Kelang Lama, causing congestion during peak hours.
“The project needs to be completed soon so that the road can be fully utilised,” she added.
Yap also pointed out that water ponding at the site had led to the area becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“A lot of people visit the market daily, so I hope the authorities will drain out the water soon,” she said.
