The residents, who staged a protest at a park here to voice their displeasure, have since prompted Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan to meet with the project’s contractors today.
Tan said she stood in solidarity with the residents. “I will compel the contractors to do everything possible to help ease the situation,” she said.
Vincent Veerapan, who has been a resident for the past 40 years lamented that he is now forced to breathe in dust due to the hill cutting and recalled the times he used to enjoy the cool breeze and view of the verdant hills.
The former electronics factory manager said he is now left wondering if he would be better off living elsewhere.
Vincent, 73, who says he is an active jogger, said he had to endure recurring eye sores and coughs, which his doctor suspects might be due to the exposure to dust.
“Can I send my bill to the nearest DAP office? This neighbourhood is mostly occupied by senior citizens, and can you imagine their hardship?” he said.
Worst affected are residents at the 150 homes on Changkat Delima 1, directly facing the hill. They say that their problems began a few months ago.
Taram Singh, the residents’ spokesman, said the “biggest dust contributor” was a crusher machine which reduces large rocks and gravel that has been sending dust in the direction of residents.
He called for an immediate solution. ” We are paying the price, we are suffering. We are not against development, but we want clean air,” he told reporters.
He said their once tolerable situation had worsened over the past two weeks.
Another resident, GH Khoo said slopes should be covered with tarpaulin sheets to prevent erosion and further spread of dust. She said the environment department in Putrajaya should step in to monitor the dust pollution.
“There are 59 conditions for the contractors to adhere to, but is it being followed? Are there state-of-the-art equipment being used to monitor these, as pledged in the 844-page environmental impact assessment report?”
Retiree Neo Swee Kee, 65, said the crisis-crossing of lorries at his street had made it impossible to dry any clothes, leaving a thick layer of dust on his balcony.
His daughter Pei Ling, 39, also claimed that the tipper lorries were driven recklessly.
She said she has also been suffering from allergies from the dust. “I have been having a runny nose nearly daily for the past two months.”
Tan Jin, 34, said he has to wash his car twice a week. “I hope the authorities are taking necessary action to reduce dust pollution to a manageable level,” he said.
The project, which began in Feb 2021, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year. The 5km project, costing RM851 million, will feature three twin tunnels separated by six viaducts through a hill range separating Island Glades and Bandar Baru Air Itam.
FMT has sought comment from the contractors, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd.