KUCHING, April 8: Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has urged contractors to speed up works for the drainage upgrading project at Taman Desa Wira now that the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down.
According to Dr Sim, the project costing RM120 million and implemented under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) will provide a better living environment for residents upon completion.
“Apart from upgrading works, additional funding of RM20 million has been obtained from the Sarawak government to build earth bunds to prevent flooding due to overflowing rivers and backflow of water to the nearby residential area.
“The 2km-long earth bunding project will end at Sungai Maong’s left branch via Taman Desa Wira Lorong 5. The river will be widened with two tidal control structures being constructed and a detention pond,” he said in a statement issued today.
In addition, the embankment perimeter will also have pavement for recreational purposes for the residents.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, was briefed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak on the project’s progress during a visit to the site recently.
However, the earth bunding project is still being studied by DID to develop a design, which will be followed by the tender process expected to be open in the middle of this year.
“This RM20 million Taman Desa Wira earth bunding project is the continuity project at the area after the RM120 million drainage upgrading project (has been completed),” he said.
Meanwhile, Phase 1 of the drainage upgrading project costing RM29 million, linking to Sungai Maong, involves upgrading and repairing the monsoon drain in the residential area to facilitate smooth water flow.
Some low-lying roads will also be filled up, and the drainage in the residential areas will be upgraded to a cement drain with the main drain and sub-drain at least 1.5 metres and 1.2 metres wide, respectively. — DayakDaily
