By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, Sept 30: The RM77.56 million upgrading of the 15.45-kilometre Kampung Semeru-Kampung Kuhom Link Road, which will benefit nine villages along the route, is expected to be completed by May 2028.
Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the project, funded under the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), would improve connectivity while providing safer and more comfortable travel for residents and supporting the socio-economic development of the communities along the route.
The nine villages are Kampung Semeru, Kampung Plaman Dunuk, Kampung Bukit Nanas, Kampung Senah Rayang, Kampung Padus Stubot, Kampung Bisira Rayang, Kampung Kuhom Mawang, Kampung Kuhom Mandeg and Kampung Rudan.
Sagah said RM95 million had been allocated for the upgrading of the road from JKR R2 to JKR R3 specifications, including land compensation, while the actual construction cost is RM77,555,555.
“The works include the construction of culverts and drainage systems, as well as new alignments at dangerous bends along the road, among others. The project is expected to be fully completed in May 2028,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Kampung Semeru Community Hall today.
According to Sagah, the project is the most expensive development undertaken in the Tarat area compared with other projects in the constituency.
He urged the contractor to complete the works according to schedule without compromising on quality or the stipulated specifications.
Sagah also said Tarat has 19 projects under the GKCDA with a combined value of about RM180.9 million.
Of these, one project worth RM2 million has been completed, while four others are currently on schedule.
Meanwhile, Sagah, who is also the Tarat assemblyman, said the upgrading of Padawan Road from Tapah to Teng Bekap is currently 70 per cent complete.
He said the 14.9-kilometre Phase I project costs RM80 million.
Phase II will involve upgrading a further 15 kilometres of road from Teng Bekap to Kampung Annah Rais at an estimated cost of RM126 million.
“For Phase II, which will cover a distance of about 15 kilometres, we are awaiting approval,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sindang Bada and GKCDA Special Administrative officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, among others. — DayakDaily
