PJ folk object to MRT3 alignment proposal

The Star

18-06-2025

A PROPOSAL to bring the MRT3 alignment into parts of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, has drawn objections from some residents over health and environmental concerns.
A town hall session was held in Section 14 by Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran to ex­­plain the proposal.
Rajiv said he and Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung had worked with Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to draw up the proposed route.
According to a map displayed during the session, the proposed route cuts across Taman Jaya and Jalan Kemajuan next to Section 13 and Section 16 (refer to map).
'The proposal has been sent to the Federal Government but no decision has been made yet,' said Rajiv.
'The route will service two areas namely Section 13 and PJ Sentral, which have been seeing massive increase in commercial and industrial activities.'
The assemblyman said the city needed more public transportation to cope with increased traffic and residents.
'More workers from other areas are coming into Petaling Jaya. It is better that they come by train than by car,' he stressed.
However, some residents were unhappy with his explanation.
Selva says the proposed alignment barely enters Section 13.
Section 14 Residents Association chairman Selva Sugumaran Peru­mal said the proposed alignment barely entered Section 13.
'The route should go into Section 13 proper, as well as Section 17, to serve residents in those areas.
'Also, PJ Sentral is already served by (Asia Jaya and Taman Jaya) LRT stations.
'Why does it need more public transportation?'
Selva also said that Rajiv, Chung and MBPJ should have consulted local communities before submitting the proposal to the Federal Government.
D'Cruz is concerned about noise pollution.
Another resident Andre D. D'Cruz, who lives near the Asia Jaya LRT station, expressed concern about noise.
'I have made complaints but they have not been addressed.
'Can the authorities guarantee similar issues won't recur if MRT3 is routed through this area?' he questioned.
Other concerns raised were the loss of Petaling Jaya's green lung, while a suggestion was made to enhance feeder bus coverage and demand-responsive transit (DRT).
Rajiv resplied that feeder buses and DRT could only go so far in alleviating traffic congestion in the city.
He also stressed that there was a need to balance between environmental concerns and socio­economic needs.
On questions about the locations and sizes of the MRT3 stations, Rajiv said these would be finalised by MRT Corp later.
Also known as Circle Line, the MRT3 alignment is a 51km rail loop cutting across major townships in the Klang Valley.
The current alignment has 32 planned stations and does not include the locations in Rajiv's proposal.
The project will be connected to 10 existing MRT, LRT, KTM and Monorail stations.
It is expected to start in 2027 and be fully operational by 2032.
MRT1 (Kajang Line) links Sungai Buloh and Kajang while MRT2 (Putrajaya Line) links Kwasa Damansara and Putrajaya Sentral.