The poor condition of the Indian Recreational Club field in Buntong makes it dangerous to users and also causes flooding on nearby roads, residents say.
RESIDENTS in Buntong, Ipoh in Perak, are hoping for a solution to frequent flooding at the Indian Recreational Club (IRC) field despite ongoing upgrading work.
The field, which is popular with residents in the area and has hosted many sporting events, is in poor condition with uneven patches and frequent water ponding.
A. Krishnan, 59, said the field would get flooded when it rained heavily, with water rising ankle-high.
“Despite the installation of underground pipes, water stagnation remains an issue,” he said of the field managed by Ipoh City Council (MBI). The green space is undergoing upgrades.
Print shop owner V. Siva, 47, said many youngsters used to play at the field.
Anbalagu says water stagnation at the field could cause people to slip and fall.
He said there had been lack of information regarding the upgrading work at IRC field, and whether it had actually been completed.
He also said excess rainwater from the flooded field would flow onto nearby roads.
“There should be a study on why the place is flooding, to identify the underlying issues,” he told StarMetro.
S. Ganesan, 60, who runs a photography business, suggested raising the field higher than drains or roads in the area.
“The upgrading project is meant to alleviate floods, but there is no space to widen or deepen the drains around it,” he noted.
P. Anbalagu Pillai, 67, a businessman, said water ponding was a hazard to those using the field as it might cause people to slip and fall.
His son, Theva, 33, recalled that as a youth, he would play at the field after school.
“Now there are holes and bumps, making it hard for anyone to play there.”
During a press conference held by Perak Gerakan, resident B. Lakshumanan, 54, said the upgrading of the field and drainage system started last July.
“Water stagnation has been a problem for years and now, despite the upgrades, it has gotten worse.
“We have not been able to properly use the field since last year,” he said.
Resident S. Partiban, 43, raised safety concerns regarding the placement of concrete benches, stating that they were too close to where people played football.
“If someone skids, they could hit the bench and get seriously injured.
“The railings at the field are also not placed properly,” he said, adding that the field also seemed smaller.
“They upgraded it, but there is still flooding. We need this fixed as soon as possible,” said Partiban.
Perak Gerakan public complaint and service bureau deputy chairman V. Subramaniam urged MBI to speed up the project so that the community could finally use the field.
“The concrete benches and the railings should be removed as it is dangerous for those playing football there,” he added.
IRC vice-president N. Sagar, 64, said the field was managed by MBI and the club only acted as caretaker.
“The field is fully managed by the city council.
“If anyone wants to host events here, they need approval from MBI, which is responsible for grass cutting and overall maintenance.”
When contacted, the Ipoh mayor’s office said the city council through its Engineering department was working on resolving the issue.
It said talks with the contractor were ongoing, with the issues being technical.
The mayor’s office said the problem was expected to be resolved soon.
