More needs to be done to mitigate flashfloods, landslides and traffic jams in Hulu Langat

The Star, Friday March 29, 2013

By OH ING YEEN
ingyeen@thestar.com.my
Photo by Rohaizat Md Darus

Danger zone: Although there are many tourist attractions in Hulu Langat, residents have had to put up with several landslides over the years, including one in Jalan Sungai Tekali.

 

Hulu Langat is well endowed with beautiful forests, waterfalls and hot springs. However, the constituency urgently needs access roads to other towns. 

Hulu Langat is the fifth largest district in Selangor with a mix of urban and rural settlements. The state seats in this constituency are Kajang, Semenyih and Dusun Tua.

It is known for its recreational spots such as the Sungai Congkak and Gunung Nuang recreational forest, Pangsun River, and Sungai Gabai and Sungai Batangsi waterfalls.

Locals visit the waterfalls, especially during weekends, for a dip in the river or have a picnic with family and friends.

For camping or picnics, another place of interest is the Sungai Tekala Recreational Park, established in 1982.

Hulu Langat is also known for its hot springs that attract both local and foreign tourists, and these are located in Semenyih, Kampung Sungai Serai and Batu 16 Dusun Tua.

There are also several homestays offered near the places of interests. The district is part of the Le Tour De Langkawi route.

The Kuala Lumpur-Seremban, Cheras-Kajang, Lekas and Silk highways offer access into Hulu Langat.

Before its closure, the Ampang Look Out Point (ALOP) drew locals and tourists, especially at night, as it offers a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur.

However, Hulu Langat made the headlines recently due to landslides, erosions and collapsed roads, including the erosion at ALOP last year.

After the landslide, Public Works Department slope department used hydroseeding (a planting process that aids erosion control) and fibremat (used to stabilise surfaces) to strengthen the slope.

Less than two weeks later and less than 10km away, a section of Jalan Sungai Tekali was closed after one lane caved in 100 to 150m in depth. The road was used by some as an alternative route to Semenyih.

In addition, part of KM20 Jalan Sungai Lalang collapsed, resulted in eroded soil flowed into the Semenyih Dam and three vehicles plunged into the reservoir slope.

In December last year, it was reported that the road would be closed to the public for at least six months to facilitate repair work.

Also, in May 2011, 16 boys from an orphanage lost their lives to a landslide in Batu 14, Hulu Langat.

Aside from natural disasters, Hulu Langat residents are concerned over the MyRapid Transit (MRT).

Some residents protested against the construction of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line as they do not want its construction too near their houses while some welcomed the convenience of public transportation.

Relaxing spot: Sungai Congkak in Hulu Langat is popular with picnickers and outdoor lovers especially during the weekends. — By ROHAIZAT MDD ARUS/ The Star

 Meanwhile, residents living in Jalan Hulu Langat, which has several single-lane bottlenecks, want an alternative route in and out of the constituency. At the moment, the main road provides access to several villages in the area.