Don’t axe PJD Link without giving alternatives, says Amanah man

Amanah Youth vice-chief Ammar Atan says the people of Petaling Jaya cannot wait years for a solution to the traffic congestion in the area.

PETALING JAYA: An Amanah man has urged the government to come up with alternative solutions to alleviate traffic congestion in Petaling Jaya after cancelling the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project.

Petaling Jaya Amanah secretary Ammar Atan said cancelling the project without any alternatives was unjustified as traffic congestion was worsening in the area.

The Amanah Youth vice-chief also proposed a bus rail transit (BRT) project, saying this would be more cost-effective and easier to construct.

“The BRT system, which involves dedicated bus lanes at street level or using overpasses, is more feasible compared to constructing new highways to alleviate road congestion.

“Most importantly, this BRT can also be connected to other public transportation systems such as the LRT, MRT and KTM Komuter to ensure that users enjoy seamless connections,” he said in a statement.

He said existing Prasarana Malaysia Bhd buses and private operators could be roped in, and that this should be complemented by government efforts to widen roads and review road configurations.

“If necessary, Petaling Jaya Amanah believes that a new highway can be built, but with a new alignment that totally avoids or minimally passes through residential areas.

“The people cannot wait for years for a solution (to the traffic congestion) as experienced under previous governments.”

Last week, the government decided not to proceed with the PJD Link project after the concessionaire failed to fulfil six of the 11 conditions set by Putrajaya.

The project developer, PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd, later said it was studying requests for a review of the highway’s alignment.

The PJD Link would have connected the north and south of Petaling Jaya, passing through Petaling Jaya Utara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Petaling Jaya city centre, Taman Dato’ Harun, Taman Medan Baru, Taman Sri Manja, Bandar Kinrara and Bukit Jalil Technology Park.

On Monday, a Petaling Jaya residents’ group called on the government to reconsider the decision to cancel the project, saying it was crucial for alleviating congestion due to an increase in population in the area.