The approved East Klang Valley Expressway has created many controversies recently due to its masterplan which cuts through Taman Rimba Ampang.
According to EKVE Sdn Bhd Senior general manager Mohd Khalid Mohamed, a public opinion survey was conducted recently and 86.8% were in favour of the expressway. The firm is also focusing on having a face-to-face interaction with the residents to ensure that they are aware of the progress and updates of the development.
“Taman Rimba Ampang is still open for recreational use and was never closed to the public. The expressway is constructed along the edge of the park, hence closing the park is unnecessary,” he added.
At the moment, Taman Rimba Ampang is poorly maintained and its worn-out facilities causes inconveniences for visitors. In regards to this, the firm is looking forward to upgrade the park for visitors, with the total cost fully borne by them. The plan has been proposed to the state authorities and upgrading works will commence upon approval.
The EKVE project was approved in the year 2015 by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) with several conditions. Among the conditions included was conducting the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) study verified by an independent body; conducting the Social Impact Assessment to be submitted to the council; take into account improvements suggested by the residents; and comply with approval conditions set by the Drainage and Irrigation Department, the Public Works Department and MPAJ’s Planning Department.
EKVE Highway will be the final stretch of the Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road (KLORR) system. Only phase one, a 24.1km stretch from Sungai Long in Kajang to Ukay Perdana in Ampang, was approved. Meanwhile, phase two of the highway which cuts through the Ulu Gombak forest reserve was not approved.
The project was opposed by many previously as 106.65ha of the Ampang forest reserve was proposed to be degazetted to make way for the highway.
As for this, the firm announced that the 106.65ha of the forest constitutes only 0.001% of Selangor’s forest reserve and the firm will find a replacement land to be handed over to the state, as to be gazetted as the forest reserve. So in the end, the Selangor forest reserve will be protected and not reduced in any way.
Images: Sourced from The Star
Mangalesri Chandrasekaran, Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email mangales@propertyguru.com.my
