EFFORTS will be taken to resolve the traffic woes in Seberang Perai, especially in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this when he attended the Perai Chinese New Year Open House near Chai Leng Park Market this evening.
“The problem that I often hear is the traffic congestion in Seberang Perai, which causes inconvenience to the residents, especially those living in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency.
“I have been appointed as the Penang Development Action Council (MTPNG) chairman, a council which will coordinate the state government, local government and federal government in the implementation of projects.
“Among the projects that have been proposed (concerning the traffic congestion) was the elevated highway project from Juru to Sungai Dua,” Chow said.
Commenting further, Chow said the elevated highway would help to separate the local traffic from the traffic heading towards other states.
“This is an important project, just like the one in Ipoh which separates the local traffic from the traffic heading towards north and south.
“It helps to overcome the traffic woes there.
“I will ensure that the project (Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway) gets the attention of the Federal government so that it becomes a priority project to rectify the traffic woes in the major part of Seberang Perai.
“If the project is not implemented, it would affect the quality of life of the people as they would be ‘trapped’ in the traffic jams.
“It would also impact the development of the social economy as well as the industry in Penang,” Chow added.
He added that the discussion about the Juru-Sungai Dua elevated highway project has already begun and that he would pursue the matter until it gets approval.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy thanked the Perai residents for their overwhelming support given to him as the Perai assemblyman for the past 15 years.
Others present during the open house included state executive councillor Chong Eng, Bagan assemblyman M.Satees and Seberang Perai City Council councillor David Marshel.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis