Alternative road to Jln Rakan Cheras needed

Kam says the traffic problem on Jalan Suria 2 needs to be looked into as well. — LEW GUAN XI/The Star

RESIDENTS living in the vicinity of Taman Rakan, Kajang are urging the authorities to build an alternative route to ease congestion on the road leading out of the area.

According to residents, Jalan Rakan Cheras is the only route for them to access Jalan Sungai Long – the main road outside their neighbourhoods.

Permata Residence joint management body chairman Tan Kuan Kit told StarMetro the surge in high-rise apartments around the area had caused heavy congestion on Jalan Rakan Cheras, especially during peak hours.

Tan said it takes at least 30 minutes to travel the 500m distance during peak hours.

“The population in the area has been increasing. Motorists from Tropicana Cheras, Permata Residence, Surian Tropika Apartment, Taman Cheras Idaman and Taman Rakan use the same road.

“What’s more worrying is that there are a few new condominiums that are being developed. Jalan Rakan Cheras will not be enough to cater to the increasing number of motorists,” he said.

Echoing the sentiment, Tropicana Cheras Residents Association vice-chairman Kam Kim Tong raised concerns over the congestion on Jalan Suria 2 which was a residential road.

“Currently, around 600 cars from Tropicana Cheras can access Jalan Rakan Cheras through Jalan Suria 2.

“Others from Surian Tropika Apartment and Bukit Idaman Residensi also use this road.

“The traffic volume on Jalan Suria 2 is quite high during peak hours. Some residents there are complaining that they cannot even leave their houses due to the jam,” he said.

He is suggesting that Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) widens Jalan Suria 2 to cope with traffic.

When contacted, MPKj councillor Lim Kim Eng said the council has plans to upgrade roads around Taman Rakan to reduce traffic congestion.

“The short-term plan is to widen the road between Jalan Rakan Cheras and Jalan Sungai Long, at the entrance near Masjid Taman Rakan.

“But, this plan still needs further discussion as it will affect a lot of utilities located by the roadside,” said Lim, who sits on the MPKj Infrastructure Committee.

In the long-term, Lim said the council had been mulling the construction of a flyover in the area.

“Sophisticated planning is needed as this project requires a huge budget,” she said.

On the widening of Jalan Suria 2, Lim said she would arrange for a site visit with MPKj councillor Siti Razimi A Razak at a later date.