ECRL project: 21 houses involved in flooding in Gombak were relocated, costs borne by MRL – Amirudin

Shah Alam: Residents of 21 houses in Kampung Sungai Chinchin, Gombak, that were involved in the flood incident following the construction of the East Coast Rail Link Project (ECRL) will be temporarily moved to rented houses.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shaari said the matter was agreed as a result of a special meeting involving Gombak District Officers, Selayang Municipal Council, and Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) together with representatives of Sungai Chinchin residents yesterday.

“Those involved will temporarily move to a rental house, and the costs involved will be borne by MRL,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

He said the matter was decided following the increase in the frequency of flash floods, noise pollution, air pollution, dust, and burst pipe incidents, which unsettle the residents of Sungai Chinchin and Utara Gombak.

Amirudin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Gombak, said that for the long term, a catchment pool would be built to overcome the problem of flash floods in the area, in addition to MRL also agreeing to bear the cost of repairing damage to houses caused by material explosions as well as main roads that were also affected.

He said MRL also took note and agreed to stop work in the area on Sundays and certain days, such as exam days.

“God willing, the Gombak Parliament office will cooperate with all parties, including the residents and MRL, in ensuring the smoothness of the ECRL construction process without neglecting the well-being of the residents’ lives,” he said.

The ECRL, which is expected to operate in 2027, will connect the East Coast with the West Coast and cross 20 stations in four states, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor.

— BERNAMA