THE Penang government hopes that the flood mitigation project at Sungai Pinang can be expedited.

State Housing, Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said he will be in Putrajaya next week to meet relevant ministers to discuss the flood problems in the area.

“The Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project is the largest in Penang, involving 2.7km and costing about RM600 million,” he said, adding that the project, when completed, will elevate flood problems in the area as well as nearby areas.

He said the project will be carried out in phases, with the first phase covering 1.4km from Jalan Jelutong to Kampung Rawa.

“Phase one involves work to upgrade the river, which includes deepening and widening of Sungai Pinang with tender for the work already issued on September 20,” he said after visiting the project site in George Town today.

Jagdeep, who is Datuk Keramat assemblyman, said the state government, through the Penang City Council, has carried out five projects, including upgrading the drainage system in Jalan P. Ramlee, to overcome flood problems in the area.

“For the five projects in the Jalan P. Ramlee area, the cost is RM5.4 million and so far, we can see that the implementation of the projects has helped to elevate flood problems in the area,” he said.

When asked about the Bertam Water Theme Park Resort & Water Park in Kepala Batas, which has been ordered to close since Wednesday for operating without a licence, Jagdeep said the Seberang Perai City Council is investigating the matter.

Yesterday, the media reported that the Seberang Perai City Council had ordered the park, which opened on December 15, to close after finding that it was operating without a licence. – Bernama, December 30, 2022.