ALOR STAR: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) will apply for a RM550,000 allocation from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to rebuild a collapsed bridge connecting several villages in Ayer Hitam to Kuala Tunjang, Jerlun.
Its chairman, Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh, said that as a temporary measure, Mada would carry out repair work on an access road along the left bank of the Parit Tunjang irrigation canal to ensure continued vehicle access for residents in the affected areas.
“Mada will undertake tree-trimming and road repair works along the access road beside Parit Tunjang to facilitate vehicle movement along the canal,” he told the “New Straits Times”.
“We estimate that constructing a new bridge will cost about RM550,000. Mada will seek funding from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.”
Dr Ismail said warning signs and road barriers were put up at the site last night to alert villagers to the collapsed structure and ensure public safety.
Earlier today, it was reported that the lives of over 1,000 residents from five villages in Ayer Hitam were disrupted following the collapse of the over 60-year-old bridge, which served as a vital link between Ayer Hitam and Kuala Tunjang.
The affected villages are Kampung Hutan Tualang, Kampung Padang Tui, Kampung Gandai, Kampung Tandop Kedabu, and Kampung Tempayan Pecah.
According to villagers, cracks had appeared in the bridge as early as 2022.
They believe the structure gave way when strong river currents swept large amounts of aquatic vegetation, known locally as “kemeling”, underneath it, causing a blockage that increased pressure on the aging structure.
Villagers said Mada had previously informed them of estimated repair costs of RM400,000 and had carried out minor patching work at the time.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
