KUANTAN: The Pahang government is preparing a proposal to raise the road level along a flood-prone stretch of Jalan Kuantan–Pekan near Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, which was closed for three days last month due to flooding.
Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Ir Razali Kassim said the state plans to include the project under the Second Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan for the affected section.
“We hope the federal government will approve this proposal as it will help ease travel for road users, especially during the monsoon season.
“The plan to elevate the road will focus only on the section that was completely submerged during previous flood incidents,” he told the New Straits Times today.
Razali was responding to calls from residents in the state capital who urged the Pahang government to upgrade the affected stretch after the closure disrupted thousands of motorists who rely on the road daily.
The road connects Kuantan to several housing estates and villages along the route, as well as to the neighbouring district of Pekan.
Commuters have raised concerns that similar flooding could recur during heavy rainfall, as overflow from Sungai Belat often causes the road to become impassable.
Closures from Dec 17 to Dec 19 forced motorists to take longer detours, resulting in significantly extended travel times and severe traffic congestion on alternative routes.
Resident Muhamed Shaipudin Ali, 64, urged the authorities to implement long-term measures to prevent recurring disruptions.
“The road is an important link connecting the state capital to several residential areas. We hope a proper plan is already in place to prevent this problem from happening again.
“I am not sure whether deepening the nearby monsoon drain will help, but the government should seriously consider upgrading the road to ensure the safety and comfort of users,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hanapi Mat Ripin, 51, expressed hope that the Works Ministry would prioritise the stretch in its flood mitigation plans once the northeast monsoon ends in March.
“The Public Works Department usually carries out repairs after the monsoon season. I hope this road will be prioritised, as it is a vital route in the state capital,” he said.
About 1.2km of the road, which was upgraded from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway more than a decade ago, was submerged under 0.77m of floodwater on Dec 17 before receding two days later.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
