KUCHING, Oct 29: Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak acknowledges that there is a need to look into the overall drainage system in order to solve a flash flood issue, in view of the fast moving, large scale commercial and housing development along Jalan Batu Kawah to Batu Kawah Bridge,
In response to the drainage problems along the said road as highlighted by Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, which was published in DayakDaily on October 23 and October 24, JKR Sarawak corporate communications in a statement disclosed that the Batu Kawah Road (1-10A and 1-10B) is a 14.73km long, dual carriageway under JKR’s jurisdiction.
“It is along Federal Trunk Road, route 1 Sematan-Kuching-Miri-Limbang-Lawas Road. Currently, the said road is maintained by Federal Road Maintenance Concessionaire, namely DAL HCM Sdn Bhd under the Concession Agreement Relating to Federal Road Maintenance in Sarawak,” the department revealed.
JKR Sarawak was appointed by Ministry of Works as the government’s representative.
“The concessionaire has been constantly reminded to carry out routine maintenance activities along the federal roads in the state such as pavement maintenance, maintenance of road shoulder, grass cutting, maintenance of road furnitures, maintenance of bridges and culverts, road line marking and drainage. This is consonant with its contractual obligations as specified in the contract agreement.”
During the ‘landas’ season, the contractor has committed to make more effort to carry out clearing of drainage and weep holes along the road.
JKR Sarawak has also given the assurance that they will liaise with other relevant authorities and councils on the matter.
JKR Sarawak will also get the concessionare to look into this matter to schedule it under its 2020 programme for periodic maintenance. — DayakDaily
