Originally posted in the New Straits Times on the 25th of February 2011 by Zhang. C. G.
I REFER to Ted Tugal's letter, "MRT plan deserves our support" (NST, Feb 23).
He missed the point. Overall, residents, especially in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Kota Damansara, are not against the mass rapid transit project.
The call is for the elevated track to go underground. The elevated track running over the Persiaran Surian and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong will have trains running metres away from thousands of homes, making it intolerable to live due to noise and pollution, and the frequency of trains passing through every few minutes.
It is not that there are no alternative solutions. There are well-based and sound reasons for going underground.
Firstly, the MRT track is a "retro-fit", being force-squeezed over narrow road reserves. Poor planning has resulted in no provision of MRT reserves with buffers.
It would cost more to go underground, but the long-term benefits must override the short-term cost savings of construction. The noise and pollution would be permanent and damage would be recurring if this is not done. The scarring of the vista and the blocking of sunlight are also long-term detrimental factors.
The call of residents like me is for a holistic evaluation of the options.
Click HERE to read it on the NST Website
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