MBPJ to spend RM21mil on flood mitigation work

The Section 51A food court at Jalan 223 was inundated last May and July. — Filepic

Projects at Section 51A food court, FAS tunnel and Kg Cempaka expected to complete by April

FIFTEEN short-term projects to mitigate flash floods are underway in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, as the local authority gears up to face increased rain and thunderstorms brought on by the monsoon season.

These projects are taking place in two phases, with the first involving five critical locations.

The first phase comprises projects costing RM10.7mil at Gerai Selera Jaya 223 food court in Section 51A, the FAS Tunnel at Jalan PJU1A/4F and parts of Kampung Cempaka near Sungai Kayu Ara.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi said works began last month and were scheduled to be completed by April next year.

Yazid says MBPJ has spent RM62.6mil on flood mitigation works since 2017.

“Phase two will involve 10 projects worth RM10.3mil and the procurement process is expected to start next February.”

He said in total, there were 15 short-term or “quick-win” projects amounting to RM21mil.

He added that the city council had also installed 15 closed-circuit television cameras covering 35 hotspots to enhance its flood response.

Yazid said this after chairing the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) full board meeting.

He also said another RM19.9mil had been allocated for medium-term projects, while RM36mil was set aside for long-term flood mitigation works.

Medium-term projects, he said, involved strengthening existing infrastructure while long-term ones would see new and more modern systems developed to deal with the wider impact of climate change.

Flood mitigation work at the parking lot beside the Jalan 223 food court began last month. — Filepic

He did not specify the project timelines.

The mayor said the projects were finalised during a meeting held in May with the Drain­age and Irrigation Department and Public Works Department to discuss flood-mitigation strategies.

“MBPJ has spent RM62.6mil on flood mitigation works since 2017, not including the quick-win projects,” he added.

Separately, Yazid said the city council had collected RM6.9mil in plastic bag charges as of September.

He said 40% of the proceeds were channelled towards MBPJ’s special trust fund, while the rest was handed over to Selangor government.

“The money was used to fund environmental management, conservation and preservation programmes.

“To date, RM1.18mil was used to carry out 14 initiatives, inclu­ding recycling, environmental education and community awareness programmes,” he said.