Sg Klang rehabilitation project showing results
The cutter suction dredger cleaning the riverbed in Sungai Klang. More than 900,000 cubic metres of materials have been cleared away so far. —LOW BOON TAT/ The Star
SINCE November 2022, approximately 918,937 cubic metres of materials have been dredged from the Sungai Klang riverbed as part of Selangor's flood mitigation project.
These efforts have significantly improved water quality and increased the river's capacity, said the company spearheading the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project.
Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin said the dredged materials comprised general waste, sedimentation and rocks.
Landasan Lumayan is a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated.
The Maritime Gateway project, spanning 56km, aims to revitalise Sungai Klang and its surroundings.
It is a state government initiative to overcome floods in Selangor.
Speaking at a press conference at the project site in Kota Kemuning, Syaiful said SMG involved deepening and widening the river, alongside reinforcing the embankment and riverbank.
These actions are expected to enhance water flow, preserve the river's ecosystem and improve water quality.
Syaiful says Sungai Klang water quality is now at Class 3.
'The main objective is to increase the river's capacity to manage more water during heavy rain,' he said.
He noted that clearing efforts had increased the river's capacity by 18%. The target is 40%.
According to Landasan Lumayan, the project is divided into four blocks, with current focus on Block 3 – a 21km stretch in high-risk areas of Shah Alam, including Alam Impian (Zone 6), Section 24 (Zone 7) and Kota Kemuning (Zone 8).
Work on Block 1, covering a 10km stretch in Klang (Zones 1 and 2), had been completed.
Work on blocks 2 and 4 have yet to commence.
Syaiful said the river would be widened from 50m or 60m to 80m or 100m, depending on location needs for smooth water flow.
Dredging has been extended to depths of up to three metres, compared to previous depths of one to two metres.
'With increased capacity and reinforced riverbanks, rainwater can flow efficiently, reducing the risk of overflow or flash floods in Shah Alam and surrounding areas,' he added.
Syaiful said the project was showing results as Sungai Klang's water quality had improved.
'At the beginning of the project, the water was classified as Class 5 (indicates heavily polluted water).
'Now, based on our sensors along the river, we are recording Class 3 water quality at about 69% of the time, which is a great improvement.
'There are 25 industrial areas, 13 tributaries and 10 million people having direct access to the river.
'We have to be realistic in our expectations, so our target is to make sure that the water quality is at least Class 3, which is suitable for general use,' he said.
Syaiful said some of the challenges faced at the site included high amounts of waste besides deep mud, which complicated dredging works.
However, he said the work was on schedule and was expected to be completed by 2026.
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