Additional allocation for Sungai KIedah/Anak Bukit RTB project

ALOR STAR: The Finance Ministry has approved an additional allocation of RM60 million for the Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project, which has experienced delays in its execution, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz.
He explained that the delays were not only due to contractor problems, but also other issues involving land acquisition, the construction of a bridge by the Public Works Department (JKR), as well as the suitability of land in building a flood barrier.
"The contractor has requested for the completion period of the project to be extended to the end of 2018. However, this depends on approval by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, which oversees the project,” he said after making a site visit to Kampung Kelonchor, today.
The RTB project is made up of three main packages. The first package was fully completed in October 2012, while the second and third packages experienced a 19% and 5% delay, respectively.
Othman said the additional allocation was provided to ensure that the second and third packages could be completed fast, to lessen the problems of residents affected by the project.
The project, when completed, is expected to reduce the flood-prone areas by 50% from the current area of 105sq km and hence, the number of flood evacuees each time.
The big flood that hit Kedah in 2010 saw the evacuation of over 50,000 residents to relief centres. — Bernama