Removal of barricade causing traffic havoc

Thursday May 1, 2008

KAJANG: The Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire, Grand Saga, is claiming that the removal of the concrete barricade by angry Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents 10 days ago has caused havoc to the traffic situation in the area.

In a statement faxed to the media yesterday, Grand Saga said the situation endangered road users coming from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and other road users converging into the interchange from the surrounding townships.

Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali said the junction that was “forcibly opened” did not conform to safety requirements such as traffic lights and safety signs.

The company is calling for the barricade to be put up again until a solution was found.

The barricade was demolished by the residents to allow them toll-free access to the highway.

“Grand Saga's contract is with the Federal Government hence it was awaiting the directive and guidance from the Government on the issue,” he said.

Zainal said the right of way issue is the subject matter of a legal suit between township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) and Grand Saga, pending determination by the High Court.

In another development, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu took the State Survey and Mapping Department to task yesterday for being unable to determine who had the right of way in the issue.

He said he was disappointed with the department for failing to provide the surveyors' report as promised because everything hinged on it. The state government had instructed two surveyors to conduct the study.

The department had promised to provide the report last Friday.