KOTA TINGGI: The state government will meet all parties involved in the double-tracking rail project following public complaints along the Labis stretch.
Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal (pic) said he was also planning to meet the Public Works Department (PWD) to get a detailed report on the development.
He was asked to comment on The Star’s report yesterday about safety concerns of Labis residents.
The residents are upset that they were not properly briefed about the project and claimed that certain aspects of the project were being done without the necessary approval from PWD or local authorities with regard to the road level along Jalan Labis-Yong Peng being increased by 5m, which would cut off the Labis town area.
Asked whether the project had received the green light from PWD, Dr Sahruddin said he had yet to get information on the matter and would be meeting with the relevant agencies to get their feedback.
He was speaking to reporters after handing over aid to flood victims staying at the SK Sedili Kechil temporary relief centre here yesterday.
There have been calls for work on the double-tracking rail project between Gemas and Johor Baru to be halted and reviewed immediately.
According to State Unity, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Dr S. Ramakrishnan, PWD had yet to approve the traffic impact assessment and the road safety audit reports.
“It is strange that work has been carried out from as far back as last year despite PWD not giving its approval.
“It has also raised traffic safety concerns with regards to the project bypass involving Labis town, ” he said.
He said he was told that the department had sent several reminders to the contractor.
Ramakrishnan, whose Bekok state constituency is within the Labis parliamentary seat, believed that the PWD was concerned over a Tamil school and mosque being located along a sharp bend on the road next to a slope.
He urged the Transport Ministry to look into the matter, saying that even the temporary traffic flow under the traffic management plan had not been approved.
The Gemas-Johor Baru double-tracking project, estimated to cost RM12.4bil, is expected to be completed in 2021.
It will have a total of 14 stations in the state – Tenang, Chamek, Senai, Segamat, Genuang, Labis, Bekok, Paloh, Kluang, Mengkibol, Renggam, Layang-Layang, Kulai and Kempas Baru.- Star
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