From The Star Metro Tan Karr Wei
DRIVING on roads in Petaling Jaya is like manoeuvring through a field of landmines because of the potholes and uneven surfaces.
Now and then, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) would resurface a road, only to have it dug up by utility and telecommunication companies to lay pipes or cables.
This happens not only on main roads but also residential ones.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San submitted a letter to Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman recently to propose stricter enforcement and a possible increase in the deposit for carrying out work.
“I received complaints from users of Jalan 19/1 and Jalan 14/29 because the roads are getting from bad to worse,” said Lau.
He said the contractors who dig up the roads had sloppily patched them up, resulting in surface erosion, especially during the rainy season.
“One good example is the road in front of 3 Two Square, which was resurfaced after the building was completed. In less than half a year, the road was dug up in various places and there are potholes all over the place,” said Lau.
He said MBPJ should closely monitor the resurfacing of the roads that were dug up or risk having to fix the roads at their own cost.
“Contractors should also submit a schedule and MBPJ should synchronise the works carried out by the various companies so that they don’t dig up the road one after another,” he said.
Currently, utility companies are required to obtain a permit from MBPJ to lay their cables or pipes.
They are required to submit, among others, a written approval from the police to dig up the road, name of contractor, proposed start and stop date, the affected roads, copies of plans, working schedule and proof of insurance coverage.
The deposit and fees charged by the council is dependent on the length and width of the road that is to be dug up.
According to the council guidelines, residents in the surrounding areas should be notified before starting work.
After a road is dug up, the contractors should mill and pave the road from kerb to kerb with a minimum thickness of 40mm for residential area and 50mm for main roads within a month.
Any damage to pedestrian walkways, kerbs, guardrails, drains, road signs or billboards should be repaired and damaged trees and grass should be replanted.
The contractors are also required to repaint the lines, arrows or yellow boxes on the roads.
According to an officer from the MBPJ engineering department, there has been many cases concerning contractors do not bother obtaining a permit especially on smaller roads in residential areas.
Lau said he would also follow up with the state government on the possibility of increasing the deposit required to obtain a permit to dig up the roads.
Now and then, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) would resurface a road, only to have it dug up by utility and telecommunication companies to lay pipes or cables.
This happens not only on main roads but also residential ones.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San submitted a letter to Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman recently to propose stricter enforcement and a possible increase in the deposit for carrying out work.
“I received complaints from users of Jalan 19/1 and Jalan 14/29 because the roads are getting from bad to worse,” said Lau.
He said the contractors who dig up the roads had sloppily patched them up, resulting in surface erosion, especially during the rainy season.
“One good example is the road in front of 3 Two Square, which was resurfaced after the building was completed. In less than half a year, the road was dug up in various places and there are potholes all over the place,” said Lau.
He said MBPJ should closely monitor the resurfacing of the roads that were dug up or risk having to fix the roads at their own cost.
“Contractors should also submit a schedule and MBPJ should synchronise the works carried out by the various companies so that they don’t dig up the road one after another,” he said.
Currently, utility companies are required to obtain a permit from MBPJ to lay their cables or pipes.
They are required to submit, among others, a written approval from the police to dig up the road, name of contractor, proposed start and stop date, the affected roads, copies of plans, working schedule and proof of insurance coverage.
The deposit and fees charged by the council is dependent on the length and width of the road that is to be dug up.
According to the council guidelines, residents in the surrounding areas should be notified before starting work.
After a road is dug up, the contractors should mill and pave the road from kerb to kerb with a minimum thickness of 40mm for residential area and 50mm for main roads within a month.
Any damage to pedestrian walkways, kerbs, guardrails, drains, road signs or billboards should be repaired and damaged trees and grass should be replanted.
The contractors are also required to repaint the lines, arrows or yellow boxes on the roads.
According to an officer from the MBPJ engineering department, there has been many cases concerning contractors do not bother obtaining a permit especially on smaller roads in residential areas.
Lau said he would also follow up with the state government on the possibility of increasing the deposit required to obtain a permit to dig up the roads.
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