I AM compelled to highlight the deteriorating state of Petaling Jaya’s pavements, which has made it difficult for users to move around safely in the city.
These walkways have become perilous because of neglect and disrepair which is unacceptable for a city with a population of over 800,000.
How can we improve public transportation facilities in Petaling Jaya if there are no proper pavements to begin with?
In recent times, the pavements in these areas have suffered from significant wear and tear.
Issues such as uneven surfaces, cracks and overgrown vegetation are prevalent, posing safety risks to pedestrians.
From my experience, some of these pavements have not been maintained for over 20 years.
The situation was further exacerbated by a severe storm last May which uprooted numerous trees and caused substantial damage to walkways in sections 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17 as well as SS2 and along Jalan Gasing.
While natural phenomena are the main causes of broken pavements, it remains the duty of local authorities and elected representatives to go down to the ground and inspect the state of our pavements.
This needs to be prioritised for urban well-being.
For example, the southern section of the Jalan Gasing pavement has always been frequented by residents, who go for recreational activities around the Bukit Gasing area.
As someone who regularly walks along this pavement, I have experienced the hazards of stepping on walkways which are in poor condition.
On multiple occasions, I have been nearly injured because of the numerous holes and uneven surfaces.
These defects make walking not only inconvenient but dangerous for pedestrians.
The responsibility of maintaining these pavements falls under the jurisdiction of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and our elected representatives.
There has been little to no visible improvement over the years.
This raises the question of how much priority is really given to pedestrian safety.
A well-maintained pedestrian infrastructure is crucial for the safety and mobility of all residents, including the elderly, children and people with disabilities.
Well-maintained pavements encourage walking, reduce traffic congestion and contribute to the overall quality of life in our city.
The continued neglect of this essential infrastructure not only endangers pedestrians but also reflects poorly on our city’s governance.
There should be urgent repairs to fix these hazards, a scheduled maintenance plan to prevent further deterioration and transparent communication with residents on these efforts.
Pedestrian safety should not be sidelined because of administrative complacency.
PJ RESIDENT
Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya
