LIPIS: Rubbish dumped along a section of the four-lane dual-carriageway Central Spine Road (CSR) between Padang Tengku and Merapoh near here since last week has forced the authorities to take action.
After cleaning up the road shoulder, the Pahang Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) has placed eight bins at hotspots along the stretch for motorists to dispose of their waste.
Pahang SWCorp director Sharudin Hamid said the waste bins were a temporary measure to prevent people from throwing rubbish on the road shoulder, drains or bushes along the stretch.
"We have put eight waste bins in areas where vehicles often stop. We have put up banners reminding road users to dispose of their rubbish appropriately. We hope there will be no further incidents of rubbish strewn all over the road.
"After images on the CSR stretch filled with rubbish went viral on April 5, our staff members have gone to clean the area and collect the rubbish.
"Most of the waste collected were plastic bottles, food containers and canned drinks. We also found one or two bottles filled with urine discarded by the road side," he said today (April 9).
Sharudin said Pahang SWCorp, along with Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, has conducted a "plogging" exercise along the affected stretch and the entire area has been "swept" clean.
"We do not wish to blame anyone on the matter, but hope road users will be more responsible towards the environment instead of littering the highway.
Pahang SWCorp has taken all the necessary action and the stretch is now tidy.
"Yesterday (April 8), SWCorp Raub and Lipis staff held an engagement session with motorists using the road to educate them on the importance of ensuring cleanliness along the highway and advised them to keep the rubbish in their vehicles before disposing of it upon reaching their respective destinations," he said.
Sharudin said the waste bins were a short term measure to address the issue.
Discussions will be held soon with the Lipis district office and Public Works Department to identify a long-term solution.
It is learnt that most of the rubbish was discarded on one side of the road heading towards Merapoh, and the particular section located near an exit. There are no rest stops or petrol stations on the CSR.
Last week, Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Razali Kassim reminded motorists using the CSR not to dispose of rubbish along the highway.
In 2022, a large quantity of rubbish was also seen along the CSR during the Aidilfitri holidays.