THE Penang government remains committed to addressing recurring floods in the state, with the long-awaited Sungai Pinang Flood Mitigation Project set to move ahead following its approval by the Federal Government.
Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state government had already undertaken several flood mitigation initiatives, including upgrading drainage systems along Jalan P. Ramlee, which had long been notorious for flash floods even after brief spells of rain.
He said all drainage systems along the road had been widened and deepened, resulting in a significant 90% reduction in flooding incidents.
“I am very confident and proud to say that, following the improvements, we have seen flooding in the area decrease by 90%. I am sure many of you have noticed the difference,” he said during his speech at the Datok Keramat Deepavali Open House at Taman Jajar Halaman York today.
Jagdeep, who is also the Datok Keramat assemblyman, said the drainage upgrading works were among several initiatives being undertaken to address flooding in the area, stressing that the issue needed to be tackled comprehensively as its impact could extend across Penang.
He said the bigger undertaking was the Sungai Pinang Flood Mitigation Project, which had been in the planning stages for about 15 years and carried an estimated cost of RM650 million, although the overall expenditure could potentially reach RM1 billion due to the project’s scale and duration.
He explained that the project would be implemented in several phases, with the initial phase involving relocation efforts downstream of Sungai Pinang already underway.
“Subsequent works would include widening and deepening the river to improve its capacity to channel excess rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding.
“We have a plan, and that plan will continue. I have become accustomed to the misery caused by floods, but I do not want us to continue living with such disasters.
“I want us to reach a point where we no longer have to worry about or experience these recurring floods,” he said.
Jagdeep stressed that the state government would remain steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the project was carried out and completed as soon as possible.
He added that the Sungai Pinang flood mitigation initiative was among the state’s largest undertakings to address flooding, and its implementation would be crucial in safeguarding communities and reducing the impact of floods on Penang.
Story by Riadz Akmal