MELAKA: Two coastal protection projects worth RM5.9mil have been completed and handed over to the Melaka government, strengthening efforts to reduce coastal erosion and flooding in vulnerable areas.
Implemented by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry through the Irrigation and Drainage Department, the projects involve upgrading coastal embankments and related works to address high tides in Tanjung Bidara, Alor Gajah and Taman Alai Perdana, Melaka Tengah.
The Tanjung Bidara project cost RM3.19mil, while the Taman Alai Perdana project cost RM2.71mil, with both completed ahead of schedule by 113 days and 19 days, respectively.
In a statement on Friday (Nov 6), the ministry said the 510m coastal protection structure at Taman Alai Perdana would help reduce the risk of coastal erosion and flooding for about 200 houses, while the projects were also aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of local residents.
The handover was marked by a working visit to Melaka by Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
During the visit, Abdul Rahman also inspected the preparations to address the Northeast Monsoon, including 14 mobile pumps and 21 flood pump houses in high-risk areas.
The ministry said the mobile pumps comprised 11 federal-owned units and three state-owned units.
Abdul Rahman also visited the RM529.46mil Krubong-Durian Tunggal Flood Mitigation Pond Upgrading Project, which is scheduled for completion on Feb 20, 2030.
The dual-purpose pond is designed to reduce flood risks up to a 50-year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI), while also supporting raw water supply for up to 30 days during extreme drought conditions.
The pond system could channel up to 220 million litres of water per day to the Durian Tunggal Dam during normal or high-flow conditions, and up to 150 million litres per day to Bunded Storage 1 during low-flow conditions to support supply to the Bertam Water Treatment Plant.
As at Oct 20, the project had achieved 57.05% progress, slightly ahead of its scheduled progress of 57%, the ministry said.
The three initiatives are aimed at strengthening Melaka's coastal protection, flood preparedness and water resource resilience.
"We will continue to implement and maintain water infrastructure to protect the people and support the continuity of water supply," the statement said. - Bernama
