KL to be pothole-free by 2017

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has set a target to ensure the city is free of potholes by 2017.

Numerous initiatives are being taken DBKL's Civil Engineering and Urban Transportation Department in order to achieve the mission.

The department's deputy senior director Sabudin Mohd Salleh said the problems of potholes, sinkages, improper and cracked resurfacing on roads contribute to numerous problems and are factors in accidents.

"A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research also finds that mishaps are not only due to the human factor but also due to the condition of roads and vehicles," he told Bernama.

According to Sabudin, the main factors resulting in recurring potholes on roads yearly were the prolific development taking place and improper resurfacing done by utility companies.

He said towards overcoming the problem, the department was monitoring every existing development project in the city to ensure every road and pedestrian walk close to the project are in good condition and safe to use.

If otherwise, the department will withdraw the development approval permit at any time or will not approve the certificate of compliance to the developers, stressed Sabudin.

"The developers must be responsible, they must repair damaged roads close to project sites because it is the heavily-laden lorries which make the roads susceptible to potholes.

In addition, Sabudin said, from this year, utility companies are no longer allowed to patch up roads which they dig up as it will done by DKBL but the costs of which will be borne fully by the companies concerned.

Sabudin said the step is aimed at overcoming potholes on roads and improper resurfacing by utility companies.

He said DBKL had appointed 24 contractors to resurface roads dug up by utility companies.

"According to last year's statistics, 13,612 potholed roads in the city were resurfaced and in January this year alone, 1,153 potholed roads had to be repaired," he added.

According to the 2016 DBKL Budget, City Hall has allocated RM100 million to manage roads and drainage in Kuala Lumpur.