Kota Bharu: Phase 1 of the Sungai Kelantan Integrated River Basin Project (PLSB) has achieved 96 per cent physical progress to date and is expected to be fully completed by September 2026. Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA) secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli noted that the development of Phase 1 involves three main components from the federal government's development allocation amounting to RM669 million.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the components include flood mitigation development, environmentally friendly drainage, and a 'living river'. The completion of this first phase is expected to benefit approximately 95,000 residents around the Sungai Kelantan who need to relocate due to floods. Additionally, it is projected to reduce the estimated physical losses of over RM4 billion per year once completed.
Meanwhile, Drainage and Irrigation Department director-general Mohamad Radzi Abdul mentioned that Phase 2 of the Sungai Kelantan project is now entering the design phase, involving the development of tributaries and drainage around the city of Kota Bharu. The land acquisition process in the affected area is anticipated to commence as early as the end of next year.
Today's programme also included a visit by the PETRA Squad Eastern Zone to the Kota Bharu AEON Shopping Centre to survey the location of TNB Electron's electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Currently, there are 18 TNB Electron charging locations in Peninsular Malaysia, equipped with fast direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) chargers for EVs, with five situated on the east coast.
The five relevant locations are at the Paka Rest and Service Area (R and R), East Coast Highway 2 Westbound and Northbound, Petron Selising petrol station in Kelantan; Kampung Gemuroh petrol station in Terengganu; and Kota Bharu AEON Shopping Centre.
Earlier, Mad Zaidi officiated the flag-off of participants for the PETRA Squad Eastern Zone convoy, which will take place over two days starting today, at the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) building in Kelantan.