A report from StarMetro on Sept 18 titled “No more shortcut via small stretch in Cheras” discussed the complaints of residents living in Taman Fern Grove and Taman Intan who are dealing with heavy traffic.
We sympathize with the residents of this area, which is home to fewer than 100 houses, and where Jalan Pakis 2/Jalan Intan 1 is located.
This small stretch of road serves as an important link for thousands of people from neighboring neighborhoods, which comprise over 12 housing estates.
The closure of this stretch of road will have a negative impact on these residents, who rely on it for their daily commute.
The residents of adjacent areas voiced their objections to the proposed closure during a meeting held by the Kajang Municipal Council on Aug 29.
Various residents’ associations have also sent letters opposing the closure.
In fact, this stretch of road is a relatively new shortcut, with the original route being from Jalan Masria – Jalan Pakis and directly into Persiaran Awana.
We believe that the Taman Cuepacs area has been negatively affected by excessive development.
If this stretch of road is closed, it will disrupt traffic flow, leading to congestion, road rage, pollution, and accidents along Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3, which is the main road connecting 40 to 50 housing estates in the area.
Houses located next to Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3 will face the brunt of additional diverted traffic caused by the closure of the roads.
The traffic from the two housing estates, where residents requested the closure, will now be redirected to roads in Taman Cuepacs.
However, as law-abiding citizens, we will not take actions such as blocking residents of the two estates from using roads in Taman Cuepacs.
Several roads in Taman Ferngrove, including Jalan Pakis 3 and Lorong Pakis 1, have been permanently blocked for several years.
Even Jalan Pakis 4, which serves as the access road from Taman Fern Grove/Taman Intan to Taman Cuepacs, is partially blocked with cement blocks.
We hope that the local authorities will treat and consider all neighborhoods fairly and impartially.
If the closure of Jalan Pakis 2/Jalan Intan 1 does happen, the authorities must consider the potential consequences, such as an accident or incident leading to a blockage or closure of Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3.
In such an event, access to and from 50 housing estates, including emergency and security services, will be severely disrupted.
This incident’s spillover effect will also cause significant problems in accessing the Police Gerakan Am Base and disrupt traffic on the nearby Grand Saga Highway, located just a few hundred meters away from Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3.
A significant part of the traffic problem arises from the toll booths on the Cheras Kajang Highway.
The only exit before the 7th mile Cheras toll for all housing estates is the exit to Jalan Masria and Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3.
A large volume of traffic diverts into these roads as an alternative route.
We suggest abolishing the toll and allowing traffic to flow freely. Currently, even road designs are tailored so that any new entry to housing estates is positioned after the toll.
A good example is the new entry from the Grand Saga Highway into the You City/Emerald 9 development, which is adjacent to Taman Cuepacs.
This new direct entry is just after the toll, meaning that traffic will divert into Taman Masria/Taman Cuepacs via the alternative route of Jalan Masria/Jalan Koop Cuepacs 3 to avoid it.
As residents, we are the victims of this toll, distorted planning, and the so-called alternative route syndrome.
Ramadas Karuppiah
Taman Cuepacs Residents Association
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
