River of Life project on schedule for completion by October 2013

By Bernama Tuesday, 31 July 2012 18:38

KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): The 14 packages of the River Of Life (ROL) project worth RM400 million are expected to be completed by October next year. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said the project is progressing well and currently on schedule. "We are confident that all 14 packages will be completed by October next year," he told reporters during a site visit at the Sungai Kelang here on Tuesday. He said the ROL project entails the rehabilitation of the Sungai Kelang and Sungai Gombak, and beautification works on an initial 10.7 kilometre stretch. "Despite many issues arising from the relocation of the riverbank's squatters, we managed to resolve all through discussions and dialogue, to enable the project to be carried out smoothly," he added. He said the ROL project involved the setting up of 14 water treatment plant, 361 gross pollutant traps, eight trash rakes and river bank stabilisation. Uggah said the project will turn Sungai Kelang into a river with Class 2b water quality. "Class 1 is the best rating for river water quality but currently, Sungai Kelang is in Class 3," he added. The River of Life Project is an Entry Point Project identified in the Greater Kuala Lumpur National Key Economic Area under the government's Economic Transformation Programme. It aims to transform the rivers running through the heart of Kuala Lumpur by undertaking river rehabilitation, beautification of riverbanks and river corridor development. — Bernama