Canal works start next year

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Nov 22, 2009
Canal works start next year
By Mavis Toh

Aside from expediting the canal works, Mr De Souza will also look into getting private buildings in the area to enhance flood-resistance measures in their basement carparks. -- ST PHOTO: SHAHRIYA YAHAYA

THE Member of Parliament overseeing Bukit Timah has assured residents that national water agency PUB will act fast to widen and deepen a diversion canal to prevent a repeat of last Thursday's flood.

Works on the canal leading from the main Bukit Timah canal will begin in the third quarter of next year, said Mr Christopher de Souza, who is on the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC team of MPs.

The 3km canal stretching from Sixth Avenue to Sungei Ulu Pandan burst its banks on Thursday, when Bukit Timah was drenched by 92mm of rain. Flood waters were knee-high in some places.

Aside from expediting the canal works, Mr De Souza will also look into getting private buildings in the area to enhance flood-resistance measures in their basement carparks.

'We'll work with PUB to encourage the management to build physical crests to prevent water from flowing into the carparks,' he said.

The underground carparks in three buildings in the area - two condominiums and the 6th Avenue Centre - were flooded last Thursday, running up huge repair bills for several cars.