By Amin Ridzuan Ishak
SHAH ALAM, Sept 22 — The Federal government should respect Selangor’s stance to implement the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction through the southern alignment, in order to prevent water resources pollution.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the public display of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang route project, which began yesterday and runs until October 19, has indicated that Putrajaya would not budge from its proposal.
He said the state government only agreed to the southern alignment through Hulu Langat, Sepang and West Port, because of the minimal impact on the environment
This is compared to the northern zone, which passes through catchment areas and water resources involving Sungai Selangor.
“Should there be any pollution incident, the Sungai Selangor Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Phase 1 (SSP1), Phase 2 (SSP2), Phase 3 (SSP3) and Rantau Panjang will receive the stop-work order and would be unable to supply water to as much as 70 per cent of account holders in Klang Valley.
“The social impact will also be felt by the traditional villages and Orang Asli who would have to be relocated to other areas,” Hee told SelangorKini.
The exco stressed that if the federal government remains adamant in its decision, the state government may not provide assistance in the land acquisition process.
He also urged the public to take full advantage of the EIA ECRL project’s public display of the Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang route, to submit objections if they have any.
The EIA report can be obtained via bit.ly/ECRLC2EIA and the public can share their comments at bit.ly/ECRLC2_EIAFEEDBACK.
The documents are also displayed at the Department of Environment (DOE) in Putrajaya and The Land Public Transport Agency at Menara Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali, Kuala Lumpur.
Apart from that, the documents are also available at Selangor DOE in Wisma Sunwaymas, Shah Alam; Selayang Municipal Council; Kuala Selangor Municipal Council; Klang Municipal Council and Hulu Langat District Council.
