No lapses by LTA, Transport Ministry staff: Khaw Boon Wan

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan speaks during the media briefing on the 2017 North-South Line tunnel flooding incident. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

There is no evidence of shortcomings or lapses in regulatory oversight by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) in the MRT flooding incident, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

He said this in a written reply to a question from Workers' Party Non-Constituency MP Leon Perera. He had asked if compensation paid to senior staff in MOT and LTA, tasked with oversight of SMRT, would be affected.

He added the tunnel's anti-flooding pumps are not high-risk components, when compared to core railway systems, but the regulator still highlighted the need for regular, diligent maintenance.

Mr Khaw said LTA had also asked the operator to provide the regulator a list of pumps that needed to be replaced.

He said the flooding occurred before the remedial action was taken, adding: "There is no evidence of shortcomings or lapses in regulatory oversight by LTA or MOT staff."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 07, 2017, with the headline No lapses by LTA, Transport Ministry staff: Khaw Boon Wan. Subscribe