ASAJAYA: A large canal connecting Batang Samarahan and Batang Sadong is being built at a cost of about RM300 million to overcome problems caused by flooding.
Samarahan Regional Integrated Development Agency (IRSDA) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the canal was being built to overcome the problem in the interior and the upper part of Samarahan in the event of heavy rain.
“A large canal approximately 30 metres wide, is being built to overcome the problem of flooding detected from the interior.
“With the canal between the two rivers (Batang Samarahan and Batang Sadong), excess water from heavy rain will enter the canal and flow into the two rivers,” he explained.
He said this in a press conference at the Asajaya 2023 Aidilfitri Open House held at the Asajaya Sports Complex, Sunday (May 14).
According to Abdul Karim, the project is implemented by IRSDA together with related government agencies and is expected to take two to three years to complete.
He explained that the starting location of the project is at the flood mitigation area of Samarahan involving almost 30 bulldozers in operation.
“Currently the project is being carried out according to two packages which have been divided between two contractors amounting to RM150 million each,” he said.
In a different development, he informed that the riverbank construction project in the Tambirat village area has now been approved.
The Tambirat riverbank construction project, which is estimated to be worth more than RM100 million, is expected to have a positive impact, especially on local entrepreneurs.
He said the riverbank project would be one of the new attractions along with the new Tambirat hawker centre which will be officiated soon.
“This will to some extent become a new attraction for visitors around Kuching and we aim for this area to become like the Siniawan area,” he said.
