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KUALA LUMPUR – The Batang Kali-Genting Highlands state road in Hulu Selangor will be partially reopened to selected road users starting 5pm tomorrow.
In a statement today, the Public Works Department said only a single temporary lane will be open to Class 1 (cars, taxis, MPVs) and 6 (motorcycles, scooters) vehicles as authorities continue to monitor the safety of the area following the deadly landslide last month.
The lane will also be accessible to Genting Highlands workers with relevant documentation from their employers.
Road users are also not allowed to stop at the disaster site and are advised to adhere to traffic signage put up.
This is because slope monitoring activities are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the department recommends travellers to the area use either state road B23 Ulu Yam-Batu Caves or federal road FT001 linking Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.
In the 2.42am incident last Friday, the landslide measuring almost 300m long and 70m high came crashing onto the Father’s Organic Farm campsite located below the mountainous road linking the twins of Batang Kali and Gohtong Jaya.
31 victims were found dead, with 12 of them children and a 1-year-old baby boy. 61 victims were reported to have survived the tragedy.
Last week, Works Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road would be reopened to motorcyclists in a week’s time.
“We don’t want to rush, despite calls from several parties for the road in the Batang Kali landslide area to be reopened immediately,” he said, adding that the route would also be reopened to other vehicles in stages.
Previously, Works Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said the Batang Kali road would be closed to the public for a year to facilitate hillslope repairs and roadworks following the deadly landslide last Friday.
