River Care Programme (RCP)

A photo of a clogged drain in Klang. Selangor is planning to create a full inventory of all drains, rivers and roads so that when a problem occurs or maintenance is required for the facility, it will be easier and faster to know the right person to approach. - filepic

At the Selangor State Assembly

THERE are plans to create a comprehensive inventory of drains, rivers and roads in Selangor and to list down the agencies responsible for them.

Infrastructure and Public Amenities, Agriculture, and Agro-Industry Committee chairman Izham Hashim said a technical meeting was held two weeks ago involving the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Public Works Department (PWD) and local councils within the state to look into the matter.

Izham said the meeting addressed not just maintenance of drains but also river and road.

“There is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to who is responsible for drains along certain roads.

“Those are under the Public Works Department but people think it is under the jurisdiction of Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he said, adding that there was also confusion about drains that fall under the jurisdiction of local councils.

He said this led to only some drains being maintained as several parties claimed it was not their responsibility.

He added that with the comprehensive inventory, all drains in the state would have an owner who must undertake maintenance based on guidelines set.

Izham said this in reply to Ijok assemblyman Dr Idris Ahmad who raised the issue in relation to plans to resolve flash floods in his constituency.

Izham said the short-term plan to tackle flash floods in Ijok was to instal a pump to draw water out of Ijok to Sungai Buloh.

The long-term plans include upgrading the tidal control door in Sungai Buloh, compartment D, which is being built in Ijok at a cost of RM1.9mil and expected to complete by July next year.

There are also long-term plans to address flash floods in the state which include a RM50mil flood mitigation project along the boundary of Sungai Buloh, which is now under the process to be re-tendered.

The job scope includes studies and suggestions to build pump house facilities that are suitable for Ijok, deepening and widening of Sungai Buloh, and upgrading the bund and riverbank in Sungai Buloh.

Izham said DID had also made yearly plans to clean drains in Ijok.

So far, 38 out of 40 drains have been cleaned while two more are still in progress. The flood mitigation project will focus on flood-prone areas.

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