PETALING Jaya residents have a new spot for rest and relaxation – the Sungai Penchala river trail in Section 14, as the rehabilitation project has come to an end.
The Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department’s (DID) 700m trail is the first built along the river.
“The trail is functional. Visitors can walk, jog, cycle and fish here,” said Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran during a site visit.
“It is definitely unique as it is the only trail in Petaling Jaya which is next to a river.
“There are a lot of parks and playgrounds here but we never had river trails before.
“Residents here will now get to enjoy nature and the river more often.
“Before this project started, the area was overgrown with shrubs.
“The river has a lot of fish and you can see them swimming there.
“This shows the river’s cleanliness level is high,” he added.
The project costs RM409,000 and the trail goes from Millennium Square to Three Two Square.
Part of the trail also links to the Asia Jaya LRT station via Millennium Square.
Experssing his concerns about possible pollution, Rajiv said factories in Section 13 should not discard anything into the river.
“Most of the time the water is clear, unless there is spillage from nearby factories.
“If that happens, the pollution will be visible to the residents nearby, so factories should take note,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to DID for completing the trail on time.
He also expressed a wish to see the trail extended.
“I really wish to make the trail longer, through the 3km of Sungai Penchala in Bukit Gasing.
“I would love to see that in the coming years, if we could get allocations,” he added.
Also present on the trail visit were Petaling DID deputy district engineer Ezman Embok Zrik and Petaling DID assistant district engineer Shahzatul Hafiz Mohd Dalail.
