PUTRAJAYA, 25 May 2009: Construction of a 44.6km tunnel costing RM1.3 billion to channel raw water from Pahang to Selangor will start on 1 June, and is expected to be ready in 2014.
The project team director, Datuk Ismail Mat Noor, said the construction of the tunnel would be the project’s first and most critical component which upon completion in five years’ time, would allow 1,890 million litres of raw water to be channelled daily.
“Construction of the tunnel will begin in Karak, Pahang and end in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
“It will be carried out by a consortium of four companies, IJM Corp Bhd, UEM Builders Bhd, Shimizu Corporation and Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.,” he told reporters after a contract-signing ceremony for the project, here, today.
It was witnessed by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.
He said with the implementation of the project, Selangor would pay the Pahang government RM80 million per year.
The construction of three other components of the water transfer project, namely Klau Dam, Muka Sauk Complex, Semantan Pump Station and pipes are expected to start in March 2010.
The project was approved by the federal government to cater to water demands in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until 2025, and is expected to be fully completed by mid-2014.
The estimated cost of the project is RM3.936 billion, of which a large portion is being funded by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), while the rest by a federal government grant.
The loan agreement signed on 31 March 2005 states that JICA will be responsible for 75% of the construction costs, while 25% will be borne by the federal government.
On the water tariff negotiation between the ministry and Selangor government, Chin said at the news conference that it was still going on and the matter should be resolved by 30 June. — Bernama
