By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Dec 24 — A one-way route along the Jalan B66 Batang Kali-Genting road could be open to light vehicles some time in early January next year, says Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Menteri Besar said that the move, which was decided following a discussion with the Public Works Department (JKR) yesterday, is to allow almost 5,000 residents in Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, to commute to and from work in Genting Highlands.
“The route would be only one-way and the vehicles would be stopped from the top to give way to those coming from the other direction and vice versa.
“We will widen the roads that were not affected by the landslide to allow light vehicles to pass through. The areas along the road have been patched with compacted rough stones.
“We will announce when the road is able for use, which may be some time in the first week of January as we also want to coordinate with the security forces,” he said when said after launching the Wheels Initiative programme (Inisiatif Roda Darul Ehsan or Ride), here today.
On Tuesday, Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said that the route would be closed until the end of next year to facilitate slope and road repair works and that motorists were advised to take the alternative routes proposed by JKR during the road closure period.
Yesterday, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, however, said that the route will be reopened to motorcycle users within a week.
Last Friday, a tragic landslide struck a campsite at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali near Genting Highlands, with 30 fatalities reported as of yesterday.
