KUALA LUMPUR – Residents of Taman Medan are not opposed to using public transport, but find it ineffective due to persistent traffic congestion in their area, said Dr Afif Bahardin (Taman Medan-PN) amid talks on the potential revival of the Petaling Jaya Traffic Dispersal Elevated Highway (PJD Link) project.
The issue was highlighted amid discussions on the project during today’s Selangor State Assembly sitting.
“We in Taman Medan are not against public transport, but even when we take it, we are stuck in traffic jams just like other vehicles,” Dr Afif said.
He added that the core problem is that Taman Medan has become a shortcut for commuters from Taman Kinrara and other neighbouring townships.
This influx of through traffic worsens congestion, making it difficult for residents to navigate their own neighbourhood.
In response to these challenges, the PJD Link project was initiated to connect seven major highways, offering alternative routes and easing the burden on local roads.
“The PJD Link project has been included and approved in the Selangor State Structure Plan 2035,” Dr Afif said.
However, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Hulu Kelang-PN) pointed out concerns about the effectiveness of the PJD Link project.
“The highway is not an option to solve traffic. We want commuters to move more, but if highways are established in the middle of urban areas, the cost of compensation is much higher.”
Azmin further questioned the priorities of urban development policies, asking whether the goals of the national policy can be achieved if the Bukit Gasing assemblyman does not promote the public transport system but instead favours developers.
On July 4, state infrastructure and agriculture exco Izham Hashim (Pandan Indah-PH) indicated that the PJD Link project is not dead in the water, as the realignment will be tabled before the Selangor Economic Action Council for consideration.
Izham told the Selangor assembly that the six proposed changes, mainly in Petaling Jaya, were drawn up taking into account residents’ objections and certain findings in the original social impact assessment (SIA).
Izham said other proposed highways being considered in the state include the Putrajaya-Bangi Expressway, KL Node, Senawang-KLIA-Salak Tinggi Highway, and Kuala-Lumpur-Shah Alam Highway.
In April, Putrajaya cancelled the contentious PJD Link after claiming the developer failed to fulfil several necessary requirements.
Previously, Scoop reported the cancellation would cost taxpayers in excess of RM20 million as the developer incurred costs for various feasibility studies and approvals since 2016.
The project had courted persistent opposition, largely on the part of more affluent neighbourhoods in Petaling Jaya.
However, there was vocal support for the project from communities in Taman Medan, Kinrara, Kampung Kayu Ara, and Kampung Melayu Petaling Jaya.
Business groups, including Bumiputera contractors, also voiced support for the RM4.4 billion project, which was estimated to create around 12,000 jobs. – July 9, 2024
