IPOH: Lengthy sewerage upgrading works, which are a nuisance to road users, are scheduled to be completed by June 2023, says Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.

       However, the Ipoh mayor said the city council will ask for the works to be completed within a year instead.

       “I was told by the Federal Government that the project will be completed within a year and a half.

       “We have set up a monitoring meeting, chaired by me, where we will monitor the progress. Hopefully they will be able to complete it by the date we requested,” he told reporters after receiving the city council's new vehicles at the local authority's headquarters here on Friday (Nov 26).

       In May, several road users expressed their concerns about the ongoing roadworks that have caused traffic congestion since last year.

       The city council also confirmed that the projects fell under the Sewerage Service Department under the Environment and Water Ministry.

       Rumaizi added that the roadworks are in the phase where they are centralised mainly within the city.

       “I was told that the roadworks took some time due to the condition of the roads, where some were filled with stones. Therefore, it is taking a longer time to dig up,” he said, adding that the roadworks will be completed before the city’s plans to build a light rail transit (LRT) network are impleented.

       “For the LRT project, we expect it to start in 2030until 2035. By then, the road construction will already be completed.

       “However, what we plan today might not happen in the future. But, in development, in order for it to succeed we must plan it properly,” he said.

       On Nov 16, the city council announced its plan to build the LRT network covering 28 stations around the city under the Draft Ipoh City Local Plan 2035 (Replacement).