Prasarana reassures Puchong residents of LRT site’s safety

FOLLOWING two crane-related work-site incidents that were reported recently, residents in Puchong are understandably worried about the condition at the construction site of the Ampang LRT extension line in Puchong Permai.

Many pass the area daily and fear a mishap.

Residents say the construction area is only cordoned off with barricades, with no other safety measures visible on the two-lane road.

Former Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) councillor Awtar Singh said he noticed the situation two months ago when the construction works began.

“I informed MPSJ about it but nothing has been done.

“It all look very dangerous and motorists are worried about the possibility of the cranes toppling over,” he said, adding that as the roads were narrow, they had no choice but to pass close to the site.

Besides motorists, Awtar is also afraid the cranes would affect the high-tension cables near the LRT worksite.

He said such works should be carried out under special supervision to safeguard the public.

“A team should be stationed here at all times during the construction period.

“Also, construction should only start after midnight, so that it does not disrupt traffic flow,” he added.

A resident, who wished to be known only as Man, said it was scary to live in the five-storey low-cost flats close to the site.

Man said fears the large cranes might topple on to the flats had crossed their minds many times.

“We are happy about the LRT line in Puchong but we want safety measures taken.

“Many people use the roads daily and we want to feel safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khatijah Irwan, 35, an odd-job worker, said walking to the bus stop down the road had become a hazard for pedestrians.

She said because of the narrow road, motorists passed too close to the pedestrians.

She said a portion of the road should be cordoned off just for pedestrians.

When contacted, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd communications and media affairs vice-president Azhar Ghazali said double layers of Jersey barriers had been put in place earlier.

“However, following complaints that the barriers obstructed motorists view, we decided to remove half,” he said.

Azhar, along with engineers and contractors for the project, took StarMetro on a site visit after receiving the public complaints.

He said the company employed the same safety measures at all construction sites.

“The area cordoned off and called ‘Right of Way’ has been declared safe and is inspected periodically by Occupational Safety and Health Department, Public Works Depart-ment and MPSJ,” he added.

On the request for a barricaded walkway for pedestrians, Azhar said the road was too narrow to do this.

“The project will be completed in two years and we hope the residents will be patient and bear with any inconveniences until then.

“Once completed, the project will benefit them,” he said.