KUANTAN: About 2.3 million vehicles are expected to enter Pahang from the Klang Valley ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri next week.
State Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Razali Kassim said the "balik kampung" exodus was expected to see an increase in vehicles compared with about two million vehicles that entered the state last year.
"On highways and federal roads in Pahang, we are expecting about 2.3 million vehicles heading from the Klang Valley to the east coast.
"Traffic is expected to increase on the toll-free four-lane dual-carriageway Central Spine Road (CSR) between Bentong and Raub, which was opened last month.
"Motorists from the Klang Valley travelling on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway to Lipis no longer need to travel into Bentong and Raub.
"They can use the CSR for a smooth journey," he said at the state-level Op Selamat campaign at Jalan Kuantan-Kuantan here today.
Op Selamat, which aims to ensure the safety of road users and those celebrating Aidilfitri, will run from April 8 to 13.
Present were state police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman and state Road Transport Department chief Kamarul Iskandar Nordin.
Meanwhile, Razali reminded motorists using the CSR not to dispose of rubbish along the highway.
He said they should instead keep the trash in a plastic bag in their vehicle and dispose of it only when reaching their destinations.
"Please do not litter on the road. There are no rest stops or petrol stations on the CSR, but that does not mean users can dispose of rubbish on the road.
"Have pity for the cleaners who have to collect rubbish thrown on roads."
The CSR made headlines for the wrong reasons in 2022 when motorists left trash on it during the Aidilfitri holidays.
The Works Ministry had said that more than two million vehicles were expected on major highways during the Hari Raya holidays. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1031948/two-million-vehicles-...)
Caption:
1. Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Ir. Razali Kassim (second from right) and state police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman (right) at the state-level Op Selamat ahead of Aidilfitri celebrations on Jalan Kuantan-Kuantan in Kuantan.