He said the ministry was still monitoring the area which was struck by the recent landslide, to ensure the route’s safety.
“We expect that the route will be reopened to motorcycle users within a week’s time. Give us the chance to conduct a thorough inspection and monitor the area because soil movements are still occurring.
“The detectors that we put in place have still recorded soil movements of between two and four millimetres,” he told a press conference after inspecting the erosion along the Sungai Kusial river bank here.
Nanta said all parties need to give the public works department’s (JKR) experts space to conduct the necessary work in the area of the landslide to ensure the safety of road users.
“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.
On Tuesday, JKR secretary-general Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman was reported to have said the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands road would be closed for a year for slope rehabilitation works.
Following the closure, users can use alternative routes via B113 Jalan Batang Kali—Ulu Yam up to B23 Jalan Ulu Yam—Batu Caves or through the main route (FT1001 Jalan Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh).
Today is the eighth day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation for landslide victims at the campsite of Father’s Organic Farm, Gohtong Jaya near here.
The total number of victims rescued was 61 while 30 were found dead. Only one victim, a boy, remains unaccounted for.
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