KUCHING: The supervision of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project will be enhanced to ensure construction works do not affect utility facilities and the interests of users.

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said all parties involved including Sarawak Metro, consultants and related contractors must increase supervision as the ART construction corridor also involves basic facilities such as water pipes, electric and telecommunication cables.

"I hope that Sarawak Metro together with the relevant consultants and contractors can improve the supervision at the ART construction site here because there are still many alignments that involve basic facilities such as water pipes, electricity cables and telecommunications cables that are in the same alignment," he said.

He said this to the media after visiting the site of the damaged pipe and repair work in Jalan Tun Jugah, here, on Wednesday night.

According to Dato Sri Julaihi, the 840 millimeter diameter pipe that was affected had been previously relocated to the new alignment, but the piling work carried out was unable to distinguish between the old and new alignment.

He said the incident also affects users when the water supply is cut off, as well as requiring a flushing process to clear the water of sediment entering the pipes.

In the meantime, he said Sarawak Water had been instructed to provide sufficient tankers to supply treated water to the affected areas, while Sarawak Metro and the Kuching Urban Transport System (KUTS) were instructed to acquire additional tankers if necessary.

Also present was Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Metro Ts Mazli Mustaffa and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Water Malseni Jamal. -UKASnews