Residents using the 270m stretch along Jalan 1/40 in Taman Pusat Kepong have compared it to a roller coaster.
DBKL urged to ensure utility contractors in Kepong carry out proper rectification works
UTILITY companies should be compelled to make proper repairs to roads after excavation works to lay cables and pipes.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said residents using a 270m stretch along Jalan 1/40 in Taman Pusat Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, have compared driving on the road to a roller-coaster ride because of its uneven terrain.
He claimed that the road was damaged by utility company contractors after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) carried out upgrades along the stretch.
“The upgrades included widening, tarring and adding parking bays to both sides of the dual-lane carriageway.
“Work was completed late last year and people were happy with the smooth traffic flow and additional parking,” he said.
However, he said a utility company carried out excavations in June on the left side of the street heading towards Pintasan Segambut but the road was not patched up well.
Just as residents thought things could not get any worse, he said, another utility company carried out excavation works on the right side of the same street earlier this month.
Yee (right) says the pocket park has no lights or trees.
“Now, this part of the road is also bumpy with potholes forming out of cracks over the patched-up parts,” said Yee.
Resident Tay Thiam Seng, who works as a delivery rider and uses the road daily, said the bumpy rides were especially dangerous for motorcyclists during rainy days when the potholes were not visible.
Tay had the misfortune of falling off his bike after hitting an unexpected road bump a few years ago.
He has scars on his legs and arms as lasting reminders of the incident.
Yee said inspections must be carried out after road repairs to see if the work was done properly.
“Residents here want DBKL to ensure every company or contractor to return the roads to their original state after carrying out excavations,” he said.
On a separate matter, Yee also highlighted shortcomings at a pocket park, located further down Jalan 1/40 beside the roundabout heading to Petaling Jaya.
Besides not having lights and trees, he said erosion was already taking place at its perimeter fencing.
“While construction of the park was ongoing, I did inform the contractor that a retaining wall needed to be built along the banks of Sungai Keroh to strengthen the fences.
“However, it seems they did not take this issue seriously,” he said.
He also noted gaps in the turfing work where people could trip over.
“When it rains, the gaps collect water, causing them to become breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” said Yee during a visit.
When contacted, City Hall said it would look into the complaints before issuing a response.
