THE RM20.1 million Bayan Baru flood mitigation project is scheduled to complete in two years.
Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Mohd Azmin Hussin said the Penang government through DID had conducted a detailed study to address flash floods issues in Bayan Baru and to carry out the flood mitigation project.
“The Sungai Relau river basin, where the project is to be carried out, is almost 12.5 square kilometre huge.
“The work scopes of the project are to build a 12 cubic metre per second pump house, a 1.25km-long collector drain, to upgrade the 3.5km-long road side drain, and to build a 140m box culvert,” Mohd Azmin said in his speech before the Bayan Baru flood mitigation project groundbreaking ceremony today.
State Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Bayan Baru flood mitigation said that the Bayan Baru flood mitigation project could minimise the flood impact in Jalan Mahsuri, Persiaran Mahsuri 1, Jalan Tun Dr Awang road junction, Jalan Mayang Pasir, Jalan Tengah, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim.
“It will also indirectly reduce the flood magnitude at the upstream of Sungai Relau,” Zairil said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project was one of the nine ‘high impact’ flood mitigation projects; where RM150 million allocation was apportioned by the Penang government.
“We have launched six of the projects early this year. We will be launching the Bayan Baru flood mitigation projects shortly.
“We hope to launch the flood mitigation project in Kampung Naran, Batu Maung; and the reservoir in Alma, Bukit Mertajam in December this year.
“Those are the nine flood mitigation projects under the state’s RM150 million allocation,” Chow said.
“We welcome the allocation from the Federal Government, such as the allocation for the Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project. We hope to launch the project in April next year.
“The Penang government is blessed to have been able to carry out flood mitigation projects costing almost RM400 million over the past 10 years, without having to depend on the allocation from the Federal Government.
“The state will continue to approve projects to be funded by drainage contributions from developers,” Chow said.
He also stressed the importance of being ready and resilient towards the effect of climate change.
Also present were state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Telok Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim, and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting