Oliver showing stagnant water inside the planter boxes along the pedestrian bridge on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara in Ipoh. The teenager and his friends are concerned about the dengue danger and also slippery surfaces.
CONCRETE planter boxes meant to beautify a pedestrian bridge in Ipoh, Perak, could instead prove to be a threat to public safety.
Bridge users and residents near the overhead crossing on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara have raised their concerns, saying stagnant water in the planter boxes could become breeding ground for mosquitoes.
They are urging the authorities to take action to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
The bridge had been built for the safety of pupils from nearby SK Tasek.
Businesswoman Lee Lai Ping, whose house is near the bridge, said the bridge was a hazard to the pupils instead.
She said many pupils used the bridge daily to cross the road before and after school.
“The bridge was constructed many years ago, but the planter boxes have no plants and are usually filled with water.
“During the rainy season, it becomes the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed.
“I have lodged numerous complaints with Ipoh City Council (MBI), but the city council told me that the bridge was under the purview of Perak Public Works Department (JKR).
“I lodged a complaint with JKR too, to no avail.
“There have been many dengue cases in residential areas near the bridge,” Lee claimed, adding that she hoped the authorities would take the matter seriously.
Teenager Oliver Loh, who uses the bridge almost daily on his way to play football, is worried about contracting dengue.
The pedestrian bridge on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara in Ipoh.
“Each time I use the bridge, I get bitten by mosquitoes.
“My friends who use the bridge have similar complaints, so I really hope something can be done.
“I am worried about coming down with dengue fever,” he said, adding that the stagnant water was an eyesore.
Oliver also said it would be nice to see the planter boxes utilised properly, as this would improve conditions on the bridge.
His friend Taranveer Singh Sandhu agreed, saying he had noticed stagnant water these past few months.
“It seems that the responsible parties have forgotten about the plants entirely.
“There is also an unpleasant smell and the overflow of water makes the bridge floor slippery and dangerous to use.
“If they had followed through with their plans to plant flowers, it could have improved the area and prevented these problems,” said Taranveer.
When contacted, Perak infrastructure, energy, water and public transport committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said he would call on JKR to look into the matter.
