Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road to be reopened to m-cyclists in a week, says minister

TANAH MERAH: The Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road is expected to be reopened to motorcyclists in a week, said Works Minister Datuk Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He added that his ministry was monitoring the situation before opening the route as it wanted to ensure that it was safe.

Nanta said the ministry had detected underground soil movements of between 2mm to 4mm, which made the route unsafe.

"We received a request for the route to be reopened because even though there is an alternative route, it is longer and takes more time to traverse.

"We will consider every request and we expect that within a week, the route will be open to motorcycle users only.

Nanta said the ministry had detected underground soil movements of between 2mm to 4mm, which made the route unsafe.- NSTP/MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI
Nanta said the ministry had detected underground soil movements of between 2mm to 4mm, which made the route unsafe.- NSTP/MOHAMAD SHAHRIL BADRI SAALI

He said this at a press conference after visiting the Kusial bridge, here, which collapsed following soil erosion under the structure due to flooding last Sunday.

"Give the Public Works Department experts a chance to ensure safety on the route. We do not want to rush the reopening of the route just because of netizens' insistence as what is important is safety."

He said the reopening will be done in stages and he urged the public to be patient.

The landslide last Friday at a campsite in Gohtong Jaya involved an area that is 300m wide and 70m high.

A total of 30 people have been found dead in the landslide and 61 were safe, with one more victim yet to be found.

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