TANAH MERAH, Dec 23 — The Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road in Hulu Selangor is expected to be reopened to motorcyclists in a week’s time, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the ministry was still monitoring the area which was struck by the recent landslide, to ensure safety on the route.
“We expect the route will be reopened to motorcycle users within a week’s time. Give us chance to conduct a thorough inspection and monitor the area because soil movements are still occuring.
“The detectors that we put in place still record soil movements of between two and four millimetres which take time to monitor,” he told a press conference after inspecting the erosion along Sungai Kusial river bank, here today.
Nanta said all parties need to give the Public Works Department (JKR) experts space to conduct the necessary work in the area of the landslide incident to ensure the safety of road users.
“We don’t want to rush despite calls from several parties for the road in the Batang Kali landslide area to be reopened immediately,” he said adding that he route would also be reopened to other vehicles in stages.
Public Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman on Tuesday was reported as saying that the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road would be closed for a year for slope rehabilitation works.
Following the closure, users can use alternative routes via B113 Jalan Batang Kali — Ulu Yam up to B23 Jalan Ulu Yam — Batu Caves or through the main route (FT1001 Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh).
The landslide tragedy that struck the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali, Selangor at 2.42 am last Friday (Dec 16), has so far claimed 30 lives, with 61 people rescued and one still missing. — Bernama
