PJD Link Project Review: Selangor Government Reconsiders Canceled Highway
The Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project, which faced cancellation in April, may see a revival according to recent updates from the Selangor government. Infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim revealed that the federal government has requested a review of the developer’s adjustments to the project.
Background of the PJD Link Project
Initially approved in principle by the Cabinet in November 2017, the PJD Link was envisioned to connect the north and south of Petaling Jaya. The proposed highway would pass through key areas including Petaling Jaya Utara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Petaling Jaya city centre, Taman Dato’ Harun, Taman Medan Baru, Taman Sri Manja, Bandar Kinrara, and Bukit Jalil Technology Park.
However, in April, the project was shelved after the concessionaire failed to meet six out of 11 conditions set by the federal government. Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari cited unsatisfactory social impact assessment reports among the reasons for the project’s initial cancellation.
Reconsideration and Proposed Changes
During a state assembly session, Izham Hashim mentioned that the monitoring committee he chaired had reviewed improvements and changes made to five or six locations along the proposed highway. “We feel that the mitigations proposed are good, and this matter will be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Council for further review,” Izham stated.
The revised sections of the PJD Link project will require a new social impact assessment, involving re-engagement with residents to gather feedback on the acceptability of the improvements. “This process is still long, and it remains to be seen whether the project will be approved or not,” Izham added.
Community Engagement and Approval Process
Responding to a query from Rajiv Rishyakaran (PH-Bukit Gasing) about the project’s reapproval status, Izham clarified that the project had not received final approval from the federal government without state approval. The revised project proposal will undergo thorough scrutiny and community consultation before any decision is made.
In April, unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil announced that Putrajaya decided not to proceed with the PJD Link project due to unmet conditions by the concessionaire. The decision was primarily driven by the developer’s failure to fulfil critical requirements, including satisfactory impact assessment reports.
Future Prospects of the PJD Link Project
With the potential revival of the PJD Link project, the Selangor government aims to balance infrastructure development with community needs and environmental considerations. The next steps involve detailed assessments and consultations to ensure that any proposed changes align with the broader goals of sustainable development and public acceptance.
Conclusion
The reconsideration of the PJD Link project highlights the dynamic nature of urban planning and infrastructure development. As the Selangor government reviews the proposed changes, the focus remains on addressing community concerns and ensuring that the project, if revived, meets the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
