A side lane between Jalan Nyonya and Lorong Baba in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, is completely blocked by a carport which is preventing Alam Flora’s lorry access to clean drains.
ALAM Flora workers had to spend an hour to clean up filthy drains in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, due to obstructions.
While the job could have been completed in half that time, they found it challenging as illegal structures occupying the side lanes and back lanes in the commercial area barred access to the Alam Flora lorry.
The lorry belonging to the waste management company is equipped with a high-powered water jet that can easily wash off dirt and debris stuck in drains.
Apart from roadside stalls built in back lanes, illegal extensions such as storage space for gas tanks and water tanks as well as flower pots are among other obstacles.
In Alam Flora’s way is a carport set up between Jalan Nyonya and Lorong Baba, with a satellite dish perched on top of its canopy.
Since the garbage truck could not gain access from Jalan Nyonya, it had to go to Lorong Baba (which is parallel) to clean the side lane between those roads.
Behind the carport is a stall operating on the side lane. Interestingly, the operator is licensed to run the stall.
This is the other end of the same side lane that has been obstructed by a licensed stall. The workers are only able to clean half of the drains there.
Although the truck had managed to get to Lorong Baba, it could not go any further due to the food stall dominating the side lane.
The food stall owner had built a kitchen, installed a stove and wash basin as well as placed a huge water tank and gas tanks on the lane.
Alam Flora workers had to manoeuvre through the lanes to wash the drains that were clogged with rubbish and food waste.
“These are the challenges that we face every day at work,” said an Alam Flora worker who preferred to remain anonymous.
“We deal with flying rubbish from above and obstacles on side lanes and back lanes.
“The illegal extensions, tables, chairs, stoves and gas tanks get in the way of our work.”
According to him, drains in the area are clogged with fat, oil and grease because the stalls do not have grease traps.
“It takes time to scrub the drains clean. It takes even more time if the drains are clogged with cables and polypipes.
“Sometimes the cleaners have to use their hands to pick up rubbish stuck in between the cables.
“Back in the day, we had to deal with double-parked cars. Nowadays, obstructions like these cables are in our way,” he said.
During StarMetro’s visit, the stalls operating in the side lanes were in clear violation of multiple regulations including placing tables and chairs on pedestrian pathways besides health regulations as rats and cockroaches were seen scurrying around.
When their transgressions were pointed out to the stall owners, they flashed their licences to say they were permitted to operate.
