Recurring sinkhole in KL road causing concern among residents
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A Gasing Indah resident says the sinkhole in the road, which is used by many vehicles, was patched up but reappeared.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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KUALA LUMPUR – A recurring hole in a road in Gasing Indah, Kuala Lumpur, that keeps getting bigger is causing anxiety among residents.
The road, under the jurisdiction of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), is used by many vehicles.
Two residents from nearby condominium Maxwell Tower – Ms Maria Vivienne Pereira, 56, and Ms Ruth Netto, 64 – said a neighbour spotted the cavity in August.
The matter was reported to DBKL.
“It was patched within the same month but the hole reappeared,” said Ms Pereira.
Those living nearby have been warned to be extra careful when driving along the road, she said.
“Residents have also informed (the area’s waste management service) to use a different route during its daily garbage collection runs, as its heavily loaded trucks may cause further damage.
“Due to safety fears, some Maxwell Tower residents have taken to driving against traffic on another route but risk head-on collisions,” said Ms Netto.
The hole in the only access road out of the area has been making delivery man Quwais Zakaria, 18, uneasy every time he has to make a delivery.
“I worry the whole road may cave in while our delivery motorcycles and vans are on it,” said Mr Quwais, who works at a courier company nearby.
He said the road repair crew had simply patched up the hole with cement and, later, tar.
Mr Ray Loke, who co-owns a car workshop in the area, has the same concerns.
He expressed disappointment over the shoddy repair work and claimed the problem had persisted for close to a year now.
“Should the road cave in while a vehicle is passing by, it can cause serious injuries. Something should be done quickly before an accident happens,” said Mr Loke, 38.
When contacted, DBKL said a contractor had been appointed on Oct 7 to investigate the cause of the sinkhole.
Excavation work began on Oct 9 and is expected to be completed on Oct 16.
The scope of work includes excavating the affected area, identifying and repairing the source of the sinkhole, followed by backfill and repaving of the road surface.
DBKL has asked road users in the area to be careful and follow safety instructions closely during this period.
Separately, Indah Water Konsortium in a press statement said it had dispatched a team with camera equipment to inspect the condition of the underground sewerage pipe in the area.
The pipe was found to be in good condition and no collapse was recorded nearby, the utility company stated. The company has shared its findings with DBKL. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
