Jalan Kolam Air has been completely closed for the past six months for sewerage upgrading works.
DESA View Towers condominium residents want local authorities to reopen Jalan Kolam Air, the main access road to their homes in Taman Desa Melawati, after it was permanently closed for six months to facilitate sewerage upgrading works.
They said that the alternative road from Jalan Kolam Air connecting to Jalan Bukit Mas, Kuala Lumpur, that was built as a temporary access for residents, was unsafe.
According to residents, the upgrading project by the Sewerage Services Department, under the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, was initiated in 2018.
It was delayed for several years due to a change of contractors.
The residents said that the intermittent closure of Jalan Kolam Air became an inconvenience, hence they asked for an alternative road to be built.
The stretch was previously a muddy road but was tarred six months ago to serve as an alternative road for residents.
However, the alternative road is too narrow, with barely enough space for two cars to squeeze through.
Due to the lack of drainage and street lights, visibility is poor at night and the road is prone to water ponding.
Retiree Lilian Fu said she was fed up with the road closure as residents would have to take a detour to get out and back.
“The upgrading works seem to occupy only one lane. So why can’t the contractor open the other lane for vehicles to pass through?
“The contractor said that the entire project would take only one to two years (to complete), but we have been suffering for so many years.”
Another resident, Sharon Steven, questioned the delay as she did not see any work being carried out at the site.
“When I take my morning walks around the project site, no one appears to be working,” she said adding that the alternative road was unsafe for motorists, especially at night.
Idayu Jais complained that the alternative road was a safety hazard.
“A resident’s car stalled while driving on the road during a downpour due to water entering the engine,” she said.
Norliza Kasiran said the road closure had decreased the value of her property.
“Two of my neighbours who wanted to rent out their houses could not do so as potential clients found the road closure troublesome. Their units are vacant until now,” she said.
A notice at the project site stated that Jalan Kolam Air would reopen in June, but the road remained closed at press time.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall Advisory Board member Andre Lai said the construction of a drain and street lights along the alternative road would take place soon.
“The drain construction cannot be done at the moment as there are telecommunication poles blocking the way.”
Lai added that he will also speak to DBKL Urban Transportation Department to find a solution to the closure of Jalan Kolam Air.
