CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Aug 14 — Residents in this popular resort town are baffled why remedial works on a stretch of slope which gave way more than a month ago has yet to be completed.
They are concerned as visitors and local motorists have to use the Section 44 stretch when travelling to Simpang Pulai.
“It’s already one month and no maintenance work has been done by the authorities,” said resident Ramakrishnan Ramasamy.
“Previously, only one section of the slope gave way. But now, another section has also begun to erode.
“This could be avoided if authorities take some initiative and plant some grass there to cover the exposed earth. Every time it rains at the stretch, the slope is gradually giving way.
“I’m worried that it would not last long and when the slope loses its stability, there is a big chance it would collapse,” he said.
Four weeks ago, Public Works Department (PWD) acting director-general Datuk Roslan Md Taha disclosed that remedial works would be carried out at the affected stretch.
He also said inspections would be carried out from time to time to ensure the slopes were stable.
Roslan was responding to queries after pictures of the slope went viral over social media, showing an exposed stretch near the road.
Another resident, Cheong Yip Hing from Kampung Tringkap, said he did not see any maintenance work carried out at the affected section.
“I’m been using the stretch three times a week. I do not see any maintenance work being carried out. The place is still the same,” he said.
“Inspecting the area alone will not bring any changes, the authorities should go to the ground and decide what should be done. People like us who use the stretch regularly fear for our lives every time we pass,” he said.
State Public Utilities, Infrastructure, Energy and Water Committee chairman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said PWD will take action over the slope soon.
“We will be planting turf grass, which will cover the surface of the slope, that is looking vulnerable. The grass we are going to grow has the ability to hold the soil on the slope,” he said.
He also advised those using the stretch not to panic as the road surface remains strong and was constructed using piled embankments.
“The structure of the road has concrete filling and the base of the road was made using a technique similar to that used to build bridges,” he added.The exposed earth at the affected area.
