Penang gov't hellbent on making island like Bangkok, says activist
An activist was left shocked by the Environment Department's conditional approval of the environmental impact assessment report for the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project, despite “major shortcomings” highlighted by members of civil society.
Meena Raman, who chairs the Tanjong Bungah Residents Association (TBRA), said that she does not agree with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow terming the EIA approval a "major milestone" for Penang...
An activist was left shocked by the Environment Department's conditional approval of the environmental impact assessment report for the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project, despite “major shortcomings” highlighted by members of civil society.
Meena Raman, who chairs the Tanjong Bungah Residents Association (TBRA), said that she does not agree with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow terming the EIA approval a "major milestone" for Penang.
“We think otherwise, as building more roads does not solve traffic problems in the long run,” she told Malaysiakini today.
“The PIL1 will change the character of Penang dramatically, with an elevated highway running along Gottlieb Road, Youth Park and tunnelling done close to Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si, some of the island’s iconic structures."
According to Meena, the Penang government is “hellbent” on making the island look like Bangkok, which will come at the expense of its unique charms.
“We are most distressed by this. We want the chief minister to release the 56 conditions that were part of the EIA approval,” she said.
“We want to study the 56 conditions to see what they are before deciding on further action."
Earlier today, Chow hailed the conditional approval of the EIA for PIL1 as a “major milestone” for the state to address its ongoing traffic woes.
Read more: EIA for Penang's Pan Island Link 1 approved
Along with NGOs Penang Forum, Consumers Association Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Meena's TBRA had previously rallied against PIL1, the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project and the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
SRS Consortium, the project delivery partner for PIL1, said the 19.5km long highway alignment consists of 7.6km length of viaduct sections, four tunnel sections totalling 10.1km, and embankment sections totalling 1.8km.
Starting from Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone IV area, the highway will have six interchanges along the alignment to disperse traffic at strategic locations.
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