In a statement, the Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) said it had relocated a mobile crusher, identified by residents as “the biggest dust contributor”, to a site adjacent to a cluster of large trees, which served as a natural barrier against airborne dust.
Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd has also increased the frequency of water spraying to at least four times daily and deployed labourers for manual water sprinkling in critical areas, it said.
“The contractors have also installed dust curtains to minimise airborne dust dispersion.”
According to the timestamps of the attached pictures, PIC installed the dust curtains on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, the state environment department reported that it had conducted a site inspection that same Monday and found that earthworks activities were causing thick airborne dust due to dry conditions and the minimal use of water bowsers.
The inspection also revealed that no dust barriers were installed at the project boundary near a residential area, and that open slopes had contributed to the dust pollution.
“The site check also found activities outside the project’s right-of-way (ROW) area,” it added.
The department said immediate corrective actions were directed, including daily self-monitoring reports on noise and dust pollution for a month as well as increased water spraying.
It also ordered the closure of open slopes, the installation of mist cannons and dust barriers, and the cessation of unauthorised work outside the ROW area.
Regarding uncovered slopes, PIC said that slope protection works could only be carried out in areas not undergoing construction.
“For slopes that have reached platform level, permanent protection measures such as soil nailing, Guniting, hydroseeding, and close turfing have been executed,” it said.
Guniting involves the application of concrete to stabilise slopes, while hydroseeding uses mulch and fertiliser to prevent erosion.
PIC also said the contractor had held talks with the Seri Delima residents, the Penang Island City Council, and Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan on July 29.
The contractors met with Tan again yesterday to review the on-site actions taken.