TAMAN SEJAHTERA RTB PROJECT ADDRESSES 13-YEAR FLOOD PROBLEM – ZAIRIL

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The completion of a RM2.7 million Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project in Taman Sejahtera here can address flash flood problems that have plagued about 500 residents in the area for the past 13 years, said state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

He said Taman Sejahtera was among the flood “hotspot” locations, with an average of up to nine incidents a year, and water levels reaching up to 300 millimetres (mm) during heavy rain.

“The Seberang Perai City Council applied for funding through the State Executive Council Flood Mitigation Committee to implement this project, which was approved on May 10, 2022, and fully financed through the state government’s Drainage Contribution Fund at a total cost of RM2.7 million.

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“Physical works on the project began on April 19, 2023. Despite facing five schedule adjustments or extensions of time due to technical issues and utility relocation, the project was finally completed in full on Sept 25 last year,” he said at a press conference after inspecting the Taman Sejahtera RTB project site here today.

He said the main scope of the project involved comprehensive engineering works to ensure the drainage system can cope with high rainfall rates, with an average intensity of 65mm per hour, including the upgrading of the drainage system using U-drains and box culverts of various sizes along Lorong Sejahtera 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 24A, 25 and Jalan Sejahtera 4.

Zairil said the project also involved upgrading an existing retention pond covering 959 square metres and the construction of a new 666.6-square metre retention pond, in addition to upgrading entrance floors of nearly 500 houses, resurfacing roads along the affected stretches, and utility relocation works.

Machang Bubok state assemblyman Lee Khai Loon, who was present during the visit, said the project is very important and has had a significant impact on the well-being of residents in 100 housing units that have long faced flooding problems. 

“Taman Sejahtera is a housing estate that is more than 30 years old, and the existing drainage system can no longer cope with heavy rain, but after the implementation of this project, we can see that flood risk has been reduced,” he said.

-- BERNAMA