RM2.5b project to revitalise Sungai Danga

JOHOR BARU: Johor has allocated about RM2.5bil for major restoration and revitalisation works of the heavily polluted Sungai Danga.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the development would turn the polluted river into a new recreational spot for Malaysians and foreign tourists.

“This is not an ordinary project as the comprehensive and integrated development would turn Sungai Danga into a new landmark and attract more tourists.

“The huge revitalisation cost includes the cleaning up, beautification and transformation works for the 6km-long river,” he said during the launching and ground-breaking ceremony of the project here on Friday.

“We will make Sungai Danga come alive with river cruises, boardwalks, street sculptures, lifestyle malls, food, entertainment and other water sports facilities,” he said.

The project called The River City @ Danga Bay will be undertaken by Riverside Terra Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Iskan­­dar Waterfront Sdn Bhd. It will be mo­­delled after major riverfront projects in South Korea, the United States, Australia and Canada.

Meanwhile, Iskandar Waterfront Hol­dings Sdn Bhd executive vice-chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo said the project would be the first of its kind in the country.