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The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
KL folk fear green spaces going down the drain
ONCE crucial to Kuala Lumpur's sanitation system, decommissioned sewage treatment plant (STP) sites across the city are slowly being turned into prime real estate for profit. Previously operated by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) to process sewage from surrounding areas, these sites lie vacant after being replaced by centralised systems. Now fenced off and lying idle, many are lucrative plots targeted for redevelopment. According to the newly gazetted Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP2040), there are 60 STP sites across the city. While city dwellers have hoped these unutilised plots would be preserved as green lungs in the urban sprawl, only 10, or 17% have been designated for public open spaces such as pocket parks and urban farms. Evelyne (left) and Joshua looking at the number of STPs rezoned for commercial projects in KLLP2040. In contrast, 32 sites (53%) are earmarked for commercial and residential development, including food courts, carparks and high-rises. During the public objection period for the draft KLLP2040 last year, concerns were raised that many STP sites in residential areas had been 'discreetly' rezoned for commercial use. In areas such as Taman Gembira (Happy Garden) and Taman Bukit Indah off Jalan Kelang Lama, residents discovered that almost 10 STPs in their neighbourhoods had been rezoned. 'We were shocked when we saw the draft plan. Some of these STP plots are pretty big and are perfect for public parks which residents desperately need, but they are also a developer's dream,' said Happy Garden and Continental Park Residents Association secretary Evelyne Low. She said several decommissioned sites were located in Happy Garden, Taman United, Taman Overseas United (OUG) and Taman Bukit Indah along roads such as Jalan Nyaman, Jalan Jiran and Jalan Lazat. Evelyne said the association submitted 20 objections to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on the proposed rezonings, but only two were partially accepted in the final plan which was gazetted on May 28 and came into effect this year on June 11. Jalan Mega Mendung is often congested due to double-parking. The revised plan to build a two-storey hawker centre at the former STP here in Taman United has raised concerns about parking and waste disposal. Breathing space please Stakeholders are hoping for some of these former IWK sites to be preserved as green pockets, offering respite in a dense and fast-developing city where open spaces are dwindling. According to the KLLP2040, about 18 plots of land off Jalan Kelang Lama, mostly former sewage treatment facilities, have been converted from 'infrastructure and utility' use to 'commercial zoning'. Four others have been reclassified for low-density residential (R1), while the remaining 12 lots around Jalan Nyaman fall under 'established housing' (EH) category. 'At Jalan Nyaman 5 and 6, Lots 18188, 18189, and 18190 are combined for a low-density housing project following a Rule 7 notice issued last year,' said Evelyne. Rule 7 of the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 covers the public participation process requiring landowners to be given notice for objection to any new development in their neighbourhood. Evelyne added that the established housing category limits developments to two or three storeys to preserve the character of stable residential areas. 'Anything above that, such as R2, R3, or R4 zoning follows a plot ratio system – allowing for higher-density projects like commercial developments.' A plot ratio is the ratio between a building's total floor area and size of land it occupies. A 1:4 ratio, for example, could permit buildings of 20 to 30 storeys, depending on design and layout. A sign marking this overgrown plot in Happy Garden, off Jalan Kelang Lama, as federal land which has been leased to a private company. Rezoning without liveability Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association honorary secretary Joshua Low said the group had submitted formal feedback to DBKL last year. The association, he said, strongly objected to the rezoning of some lots into one commercial plot with a high 1:6 ratio. 'Originally, the STP plot was categorised as 'infrastructure and utility – water supply', but in the draft, it was redesignated to 'main commercial'. 'We argued that it should instead have been reclassified as public or private open space. 'Jalan Kelang Lama is under severe traffic strain; it simply cannot absorb more development,' said Joshua. He added that under KLLP2040, any new development should consider location, infrastructure capacity, site conditions, and compatibility with existing land use. 'When we brought this up with DBKL planners during the open day in May, we were told the site would be limited to low-density, three-storey bungalows. 'How can we accept vague verbal assurances?' asked Joshua. In May, DBKL held an open day to show the public the revised version of KLLP 2040. Evelyne and Joshua expressed disappointment that only two of the 20 objections they submitted, last year, were partially taken into account in the final plan. Why another food court? Alvin says the former STP plot at Jalan Mega Mendung is too small for a two-storey food court. One of the more questionable cases involves Lot 19542, a narrow plot sitting along the Jalan Mega Mendung commercial area in Taman United, Kuala Lumpur. Initially proposed for a four-storey commercial block, it has since been revised to accommodate a two-storey hawker centre. 'The site is only 0.07ha. It's too small, and yet, a two-storey food court is being squeezed into the site. It's unrealistic and shows no regard for proper planning,'' said Seputeh Residents Representative Council chairman Alvin T. Ariaratnam. 'Where are people supposed to park? Where will the waste go? 'A hawker centre needs space for ventilation, rubbish collection, and customer flow, not to mention loading and unloading. It's just not practical.'' He said the area was already congested and prone to double- parking. 'This area has numerous eateries and a DBKL-run food court is just three minutes away,' he said. Tan says remaining open plots from former STP sites are some of the last few green spaces left in KL's older neighbourhoods. Alvin added that roads like Jalan Mega Mendung, Jalan Sepakat, and Jalan Sepadu were struggling under the weight of traffic from unchecked development. Urban green lifeline Federal Territory MCA deputy chairman Tan Kok Eng said the remaining open plots from former STP sites were some of the last few green spaces left in Kuala Lumpur's older neighbourhoods. 'In a city that's growing taller and denser by the day, green lungs are not a luxury, they're a lifeline,' he said. 'Once these spaces are gone, they're gone for good. We don't need more concrete towers choking our streets. 'We need places where children can play, the elderly can stroll, and communities can reconnect. 'If DBKL is serious about making Kuala Lumpur liveable, then these sites must be preserved for the public, not handed over for profit.' Salak South Village MCA branch deputy chairman Banie Chin did not hide his frustration. 'We had no idea these old sewage plant sites were being taken over. 'There was one in Seri Petaling, and now its being used for a condominium project. 'Nobody asks the residents anything, but we're the ones stuck with the noise, traffic jams, and overcrowding. 'People like to talk about mental health and community wellbeing, but how are we supposed to have a liveable city when every bit of open space gets turned into concrete?' Chin said.
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
HC issues notice to Haryana on Punjab's plea against order to release additional water
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Wednesday issued notice to Haryana seeking its response on a petition filed by the Punjab government seeking recall or modification of its May 6 order directing the state to release 4,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana for eight days. The notice was issued by the bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel. Senior advocate Gurminder Singh Garry, appearing for the Punjab government, alleged that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Haryana and the Centre had misled the court by concealing critical facts. He said Haryana has already drawn 105 per cent of its agreed quota—3.13 million acre feet (MAF) against 2.987 MAF—and that the situation prompting the emergency release no longer exists. Repair works on the Western Jamuna Canal, which was cited as the reason for the additional withdrawal, have been completed and the water sought was only for the period from April 24 to May 1, it said. Punjab also argued that BBMB had no authority to issue an order on April 30 allowing additional water release, as the matter had already been referred to the Centre under Rule 7 of BBMB. The state objected to a May 2 meeting chaired by the Union home secretary, reiterating the direction for release, claiming only the Union power secretary has jurisdiction as per BBMB rules—a position later acknowledged by the Centre in a May 9 clarification. The Punjab government further contended that the court was misled into believing that a formal decision had been taken by the Centre, when in fact only a press note was shared during the hearing. It also objected to a May 8 communication from the BBMB chairman warning of contempt action for non-compliance, calling it a misrepresentation of the court's order. Representing the Union government, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain dismissed Punjab's petition as 'totally baseless,' arguing that there was 'no legal ground' to recall or modify the May 6 order. 'The order passed by this court is very clear. The only remedy is to challenge it in accordance with law, not to seek a review without any basis,' he said. Jain told the court that two decisions had been taken—one by the BBMB on April 30, and another by the Union home secretary on May 2. 'It is strange that the State of Punjab is neither complying with the decisions taken on April 30 and May 2, nor is it challenging them as per law,' he submitted. He clarified that the Union had not acted unilaterally on Haryana's April 29 representation. 'We did not entertain Haryana's representation and instead asked that the BBMB convene a meeting, which was duly done on April 30,' he said. Haryana Advocate General (AG) Pravindra Singh Chauhan, opposing Punjab's plea, said the state's current requirement now includes water for cotton sowing. 'The demand is now for irrigation. The court's…order should not be kept in abeyance,' he said, noting that Punjab was refusing to follow its first direction to provide security at Nangal dam and not interfere in BBMB operations. The AG alleged that Punjab's own minister had obstructed the functioning of BBMB, which had led the court to initiate contempt proceedings earlier. BBMB counsel and senior advocate Amit Garg argued that the Punjab Police should have escorted the board chairman to Nangal to perform his duty instead of escorting him out. 'They are supposed to act in aid of your lordship's orders. They are finding a way out to wriggle out of those orders.' The Haryana AG further argued that Punjab's only aim was to delay the implementation of the order till May 20, when the kharif sowing season begins. 'Whatever water I am getting now is not from Punjab's share—it is based on technical committee recommendations,' he said. The matter is now posted for hearing on May 20.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana charges 6 officials over illegal Aravalli mining in Nuh
The Haryana government has formally acknowledged large-scale illegal mining in Rawa village of Nuh district, dating back to 2011. Acting on a geospatial probe, the state has charged six senior officials from the Department of Mines and Geology under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules for their alleged role in the mining. An area where illegal mining used to take place at Panchgaon village in Nuh. (HT Archive) The officials named in the government communique include Assistant Mining Officer R.S. Thakran and Mining Officers Bhupender Singh, BD Yadav, Rajender Prasad, Anil Kumar, and Anil Atwal. The probe, ordered by Commissioner and Secretary, Mines and Geology, T.L. Satya Prakash, found that around 25 acres of Aravalli hill land in Haryana's revenue territory had been illegally mined by leaseholders from Rajasthan. The excavation spanned from November 2011 to January 2025, resulting in the loss of over 80 lakh tonnes of Aravalli stone. 'While taking strict cognisance of the illegal mining activities, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed that six officers of the Mining Department be charge-sheeted. He has also ordered action against staff from the Panchayat and Forest Departments found complicit in the case,' the state government said in a statement. The crackdown follows a complaint alleging excess extraction in Rawa village, located in Ferozepur Jhirka tehsil. Subsequent departmental investigations confirmed the illegal operations. Despite multiple attempts, Satya Prakash and director general of Mining, Pandurang did not respond to HT's request for a comment. Environmental activists have long flagged unchecked mining in fragile Aravalli zones like Nuh, warning of severe ecological consequences. A senior official, requesting anonymity, said the Rawa case could be 'just the tip of the iceberg', with more action expected in the coming weeks.
