Drainage upgrading work at the entrance of Jalan 4/5 Pandan Perdana hinders traffic flow into the busy commercial area in Ampang, Selangor.
BUSINESS operators in the Pandan Perdana commercial area in Ampang, Selangor, are frustrated over what they claim are delays in drainage upgrading work in front of their premises.
The operators said work, which started in September last year, was supposed to be completed in one month based on a notice sent by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
However, six months later, digging works are still in full swing.
Chicken rice seller Ah Lai said dust from the daily digging was causing pollution and affecting his stall and other restaurants.
“There is a thick layer of dust on the roads and pavements, which puts off customers as the kopitiam faces the road.
“Sometimes, the workers close one of two entrances to the area and motorists have difficulty getting in,” he said. He has been operating in Pandan Perdana for about 30 years.
He said that up to 20 parking bays in the commercial area were temporarily taken up to make way for the project.
Another business operator, who declined to be named, said premises owners should be updated on the work progression.
“My customers complain that traffic has become worse because of the partial closures, and they do not want to come to the area.“Although it is a timely project as the drains have not been upgraded in a long time, we just hope that work is expedited as it is disrupting business,” she said.
Pandan Perdana Residents Association chairman Lim Ah Chai, who raised the matter at a press conference, said about 60 to 80 outlets were affected by the project.
The areas include Jalan Perdana 4/1, 4/3, 4/5 and 4/8.
“There should be more maintenance and clean-up to minimise the inconvenience,” said Lim.
When contacted, MPAJ councillor R. Moganraj said the project was on schedule and due to be completed between April and May.
“The scheduled completion for drainage work along the main roads is in April, but we have also requested that drains in the back lanes be upgraded.
“This will not involve additional costs, besides the RM1.4mil initially allocated,” he said.
The project is part of MPAJ’s long-term flood mitigation efforts for the area.
Drainage upgrading work at the entrance of Jalan 4/5 Pandan Perdana hinders traffic flow into the busy commercial area in Ampang, Selangor.
Lim says about 60 to 80 shops have been affected by the project.
