Dato Sri Michael Manyin
KUCHING: The much awaited Kanowit-Kapit road will be ready in three years’ time, says Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a news conference here yesterday he said that the project involving a cost of RM700 million was still pending the release of award letter by the Finance Ministry.
“The money is already there but we are still waiting for the ministry to issue the award letter,” he said.
He added that if everything went as planned the project would take off the ground immediately after the award letter had been issued and the project completed by 2017.
He said the completion of the project would help reduce the use of river transport in the state.
“River transport is still the major mode of transportation in the state especially for those living along Batang Rajang,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Kuchingnites would be able to enjoy better public transport latest by end of this year.
He said Kuching was among seven cities selected by Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) for the implementation of public transport enhancement.
He said under the project, operators would be given certain amount of subsidies to support the companies with their operation costs even if they were to operate at a loss due to lack of passengers.
“They are now in the midst of working out the quantum of subsidy and we expect to implement the programme by September,” Manyin said.
He added that a better public transport service in the city would encourage more people to travel by bus instead of driving to their work places and this in return would help ease traffic congestion.
“All we need now is for local authorities to increase the number of bus sheds and upgrade the existing facilities,” he said.