On 31st July 2023, the Selangor state government made a significant decision to cancel the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) elevated highway project, which had been planned to be a 25.4-kilometer dual-lane toll expressway connecting Damansara to Bandar Kinrara. The project aimed to reduce travel time between these areas by 25% and was estimated to cost RM2 billion. However, the cancellation came amidst mounting public concerns and strong opposition.
One of the major reasons for scrapping the project was the failure of the developer's impact assessment reports to meet the government's conditions, particularly in the area of social impact. An independent survey revealed that a staggering 93.6% of individuals living along the proposed alignment of the PJD Link disagreed with the project.
The controversy surrounding the PJD Link elevated highway project was not new. Even after receiving conditional approval in April 2022 from the previous federal government, the project continued to face criticism and protests. Many residents of Petaling Jaya voiced their discontent and listed several reasons for their opposition:
Poor Design: The project's design was deemed inadequate in incorporating existing highways, leading to concerns about traffic flow and congestion.
Proximity to Buildings and Residential Areas: The proposed route's close proximity to existing buildings and residential areas raised safety and environmental worries.
Inadequate Drainage: Concerns were raised about the project's potential impact on drainage systems and the risk of flooding in the area.
Contradiction with Low Carbon Aspiration: The proposed highway conflicted with the Petaling Jaya City Council's goal of achieving low carbon status by 2030, as it could have contributed to increased carbon emissions.
The PJD Link project aimed to ease traffic congestion in the Petaling Jaya area and cater to future traffic growth in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley region. However, the concerns raised by the public, along with the project's similarities to the previously scrapped Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (KIDEX) project, led to strong opposition.
While the decision to cancel the project may have been politically motivated, it underscores the significance of public opinion and the importance of responsible decision-making in large infrastructure projects. The cancellation shows that public engagement and activism can influence policy decisions, ensuring that development projects strike a balance between economic progress and the well-being of residents. As the government seeks to address traffic congestion and infrastructure needs, a thorough and transparent assessment process that considers the concerns of the public remains essential.
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