KUALA LUMPUR — The recovery and reconstruction of the area affected by the sinkhole incident on Jalan Masjid India are expected to take between three to six months, according to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
She said that the work would cover a stretch of approximately 200 metres from Wisma Yakin to the police station on Jalan Masjid India.
The area has been cordoned off with barriers to facilitate repairs and detailed investigations into the underground utility systems and other related matters by the relevant agencies.
“Inspecting the underground utility systems will take time and involve agencies such as Indah Water Konsortium and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to check for any pipe leaks.
“In addition, we will collaborate with telecommunications companies to inspect cables, as there are cables from these companies in the underground sections.
“The Department of Minerals and Geoscience will provide detailed technical reports and information on the soil stability around the incident site,” she said when contacted by Bernama.
Maimunah added that a special committee, formed on Aug 25, is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the next steps.
She also said that traders in the area could continue their business as usual, but the public is advised to avoid crossing the yellow tape set up by the police and to use only designated pedestrian paths during the recovery process.
“We want to prevent any further untoward incidents,” she said.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, announced that the search and rescue (SAR) operation for 48-year-old Indian national G. Vijaya Lakshmi, who fell into the sinkhole, had been called off after nine days and had transitioned to a ‘search and recovery’ phase. — September 1, 2024