The Price of Overdevelopment…..

If one checks the newspaper reports over the past 4 years, it seems that the whole of the Klang Valley has become a flood zone similar to many places in Bengladesh where millions are subject to floods during the annual monsoon.

In Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley though, we created our own disaster zone with the insatiable demand for cars caused by the apathy towards public transport of the authorities and the public.

The ever increasing spread of massive road networks to “park” the millions of cars seems to be a conspiracy of sorts by the authorities, the car makers and the toll collectors.

Apart for the billion ringgit SMART project is there any masterplan to halt the development in an area that is just bursting with too much construction?

I am not against development but it should be at a sustainable level. Perhaps what is needed is a 5-year freeze on approvals of new construction projects until the planners have in place a proper master-plan that enables the citizens to enjoy a flood free existence.

I lived in PJ from 1971 to 1987 and during those years I can count on two hands the number of times I was inconvenienced by flash floods that used to affect only a few places like the Jalan Pantai area.

Photo: the Star