Covered drains in Batu Caves industrial areas hinder cleaning

ONE of the challenges faced by KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) workers when carrying out scheduled cleaning in Batu Caves industrial areas is that the drains are fully covered by concrete slabs.

Its corporate communications assistant general manager Mahfuzah Muhammad Tarmidi said factory owners and operators build concrete drain slabs and other permanent structures that made it difficult for workers to access and clean the drains.
 

“During the monsoon season, rainwater will overflow from the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) highway into the Batu Caves industrial area, including Sesama Industrial Area in Taman Sri Gombak.
 

“The situation is made worse when factory owners and operators don’t engage their own rubbish disposal contractors as required by the local council and dump rubbish illegally.”

Mahfuzah was responding to complaints by several business owners in Sesama Industrial Area about flash flood incidents due to poor drainage and uncollected rubbish in the area.
 

The group held a press conference outside Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) headquarters in Selayang Baru to ask the authorities to fix the drains and clear up rubbish around their industrial areas, as the flash floods caused much inconvenience, stress and losses.
 

Mahfuzah added that last month, KDEBWM and MPS Solid Waste Management and Health Department (JPSPK) visited Sesama Industrial Area with community activist Yee Poh Ping and representatives of several non-governmental organisations to get details about the problem and identify action to be taken.
 

“They also took note of several damaged drain structures and other matters hindering the scheduled cleaning.
 

“JPSPK said a report would be tabled to MPS’ Engineering Department for further action, and that the latter had appointed a contractor to build new drains.
 

“The construction work is expected to start soon,” she said.
 

She added that for industrial areas, the scheduled cleaning is twice a month for drain cleaning and grass cutting, and daily for sweeping.
 

“KDEBWM is committed to carrying out its responsibilities in regards to waste collection and public cleaning works in Selangor.
 

“The public can lodge complaints regarding waste collection and public cleaning works through KDEBWM’s i-Clean app,” added Mahfuzah. — By JADE CHAN