State executive councillor Izham Hashim said the innovative proposal to solve flood problems in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur has been submitted to the deputy prime minister for approval.
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government is seeking to build an underground tunnel system to manage rain overflow from Kuala Lumpur as a measure to prevent flooding in the western areas of the capital and the state.
The state’s infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman, Izham Hashim, said that the plan is based on the mitigation model used in Japan, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Izham Hashim.
He also said the proposal, estimated to cost RM6 billion, has already been submitted to deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof, who also holds the energy transition and water transformation portfolio.
“This system has been implemented in Kawasaki and Saitama, where water is directed straight into underground tunnels to manage floods,” he was quoted as saying.
“During my visit to these two Japanese cities, I found it to be very effective and a viable long-term solution for flood management in this country.”
Izham added that this proposal is also part of studies conducted under the state’s Water Master Plan.
“According to experts, our rivers are unable to handle the extraordinary rainfall distribution. This tunnel project can not only protect Selangor from floods but also involves Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
However, Izham clarified that the project needs approval from the federal government due to the high construction cost.
“It needs to be implemented to address the frequent flooding in the Klang Valley.
“We hope to resolve this problem quickly as floods are becoming more frequent. We need to consider various solutions to tackle this issue,” he said.
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