The Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) highway project, envisioned as a solution to Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley’s growing traffic woes, has been scrapped after its developer, PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd, failed to meet critical requirements set by the Malaysian government.
This decision, announced by Communications Minister and Unity Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil on April 17th, 2024, comes after the developer’s request for an extension to fulfill the unmet conditions was rejected by the Cabinet.
“The Cabinet today decided not to continue discussions with PJD Link,” Fahmi explained at a press conference. “They applied for an extension to meet a number of conditions precedent, but this has been rejected by the government, and the decision is not to continue. As a result of that, the project will not continue.”
The proposed 25.4km, two-lane dual carriageway (four-lane expressway) aimed to alleviate the notorious traffic congestion plaguing Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley. It would have stretched from the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) Toll Plaza at the Sprint Expressway, Damansara, to the intersection of the Bukit Jalil Highway.
The project, signed into a concession agreement with the Malaysian government on April 5th, 2022, had garnered mixed reactions from the public.
Relief for Residents, Uncertainty for the Future
Residents in the project’s path, who faced potential displacement and environmental concerns, have expressed relief at the cancellation. Local community groups had previously voiced their opposition, citing anxieties over land acquisition and the impact on their neighborhoods.
However, the project’s demise also raises concerns about alternative solutions for the region’s worsening traffic congestion. Experts warn that without proper infrastructure development, gridlock is likely to worsen, especially with the anticipated growth in vehicle ownership.
The Ministry of Works is expected to address these concerns in a forthcoming statement.
The scrapping of the PJD Link project highlights the complex challenges of infrastructure development in urban areas. While some celebrate the project’s demise, others worry about the lack of a clear plan to tackle the region’s growing traffic woes. It remains to be seen what alternative solutions the government will propose to address the pressing issue of traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley.
source : theedgemalaysia.com/node/708254
