SEVERAL critical rivers in Selangor will undergo river improvement work, says the recently announced draft of the Selangor Structure Plan Study 2035 issued by the state’s Town and Country Planning Department recently.
In the chapter on irrigation and drainage, from page B11-37 to 41, there are six proposals to ensure that the river management complies with government policies and strategies, fixing the river reserve and gazette, improvements on several critical rivers, urban drainage system master plan at several critical catchment areas, river overflow protection and to build river detention ponds.
In ensuring that river management complies with government policies and strategies, no alterations can be made, so physical characteristics need to be maintained.
As one of the solutions for floods, a non-structural approach will be used to gazette the river reserves or to require environmentally-friendly drainage manual in land development. For widths between the river and bank of more than 40m, the proposed reserve width from both side of the banks is 50m, for those between 20 and 40m is 40m, 10 to 20m (20m), 5 to 10m (10m) and less than 5m (5m).
For improvements on several critical rivers, the exercises that will take place include ongoing maintenance work, such as general clearing of rubbish and small plants that hinder water flow, deepening and de-silting of the riverbed for cleaning up purposes and prolonged sedimentation, river widening as well as using concrete lining or other methods to protect slopes and riverbanks.
The improvements will also see the realignment and streamlining of the rivers, the construction of key water and pump at the meeting point between two rivers, diversion of the rivers, outlet improvement and to provide log booms and gross pollutant types of waste traps.
The rivers include Sungai Klang, Sungai Telok Gadong, Sungai Aur, Sungai Puloh, Sungai Johan Setia, Sungai Rasau, Sungai Damansara, Sungai Buloh, Sungai Kuyoh, Sungai Langat, Sungai Serai, Sungai Jelok, Sungai Kuang, Sungai Gombak, Sungai Batu, Sungai Rawang, Sungai Batang Kali, Sungai Liam, Sungai Labu, Sungai Jijan, Sungai Chinchang, Sungai Langat, Sungai Morib, Sungai Batu Laut and Sungai Tanjung Sepat.
Areas that are listed in the urban drainage system master plan include Klang, Shah Alam, Seri Kembangan, Kajang, Batu Caves, Rawang, Batang Kali and Salak Tinggi.
The proposed projects for rivers in the flood mitigation plan include Sungai Damansara-Sungai Rasau, Sungai Langat from Mile 11 to 18, Sungai Telok Gadong, Sungai Aur, Sungai Puloh, Sungai Johan Setia, Sungai Kuang, Sungai Chincin, Sungai Pusu, Sungai Jinjang, Sungai Labu, Sungai Kelanang, Sungai Nangka, Sungai Buaya, Sungai Tampoi, Sungai Serdang Belah, Sungai Tongkah, Sungai Kanchong Laut, Sungai Batu Laut, Sungai Morib and Sungai Tanjung Sepat.
River overflow protection is proposed for Sungai Langat, Sungai Selangor, Sungai Bernam, Sungai Buloh, Sungai Labu and Sungai Gombak, while detention ponds will be built at Sungai Serai, Sungai Jelok, Sungai Kuyoh and Sungai Rasau.
The public have until the end of January to submit their feedback on the development projects included in the study. It is available for download at www.jpbdselangor.gov.my.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said public feedback was also needed on the construction of the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway.
“We received many queries from residents on how Kidex made it into the plan even though it has yet to be approved by the state government.
“The report is merely a draft. It doesn’t mean that the project has been approved.
“The public can still give their feedback until the end of January, before the final decision is made by the state exco,” he said.
He said, according to the Selangor Town and Country Planning Department, the RM2.4 billion expressway was proposed by the Malaysian Highway Authority.
He said Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali had indicated that the construction of all the highways was subject to approval.
“The menteri besar has said that the approval will be based on the disclosure of the financial status of the concessionaire, the agreement and studies on the traffic and environmental impact,” he said, adding that Kidex Sdn Bhd had until Feb 15 to fulfil the conditions.