Gabions to stabilise slope at Bukit Setiawangsa

Work to install gabions to repair a concrete embankment which collapsed at Bukit Setiawangsa, here, will be completed in early February, said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib.

He said work on the 7 x 7 metres gabions, now 70 per cent completed, was a temporary measure to stabilise the slope, while a suitable slope design was being drawn up.

"Thirty-eight out of the 43 families involved have been allowed to re-enter their homes since Jan 22. The rest will be allowed to do so after the gabions are completed and renovations of their houses are fully completed by early February," he said after attending a meeting on the failure of the slope at Bukit Setiawangsa, at the Bukit Setiawangsa Community Centre, here, today.

He said, the parties involved such as the Public Works Department (JKR), Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall were carrying out rehabilitation work at the scene, including reopening the two way road, which was closed, to facilitate residents.

Meanwhile, he said a special committee was set up to carry out a detailed study towards improving the existing guideline on development of slopes.

"The committee, comprising JKR, City Hall, Ikram and the Malaysian Mineral and Geoscience Department will come up with better guidelines in six months," he said.

On Dec 28, the 50 metres by 60 metres concrete embankment on the hillslope at Puncak Setiawangsa collapsed, affecting several bungalows, including one which was badly damaged.