GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has apologised for yesterday's rock blasting activities at the project site for the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Motorway to Air Itam bypass, which caused minor damage to the Jay Series Apartment.
"We apologise to the residents for the damage caused.
"The contractor will bear full responsibility for the incident," Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told newsmen at his office in Komtar today.
It was reported that rock blasting activities at the project site for the bypass from the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam yesterday had resulted in some damage to the Jay Series Apartment here.
The damage was reported to have involved at least six cars, the swimming pool and the awning at the resting area of the apartment.
Chow also cautioned the contractor to be extra careful when carrying out blasting works in future.
He said since work for the bypass started in January 2022, a total of 600 rock blasting work had been conducted.
"Yesterday's incident was the first involving damage to a residential unit. I am not saying we have been lucky.
"One time is already bad and I want the project director and contractor to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in future.
"We are looking at another 200 rock blasting activities being carried out for the bypass project.
"I want the contractor and project team to beef up safety throughout," he added.
Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said yesterday's rock blasting, which resulted in some damage to the Jay Series Apartment, was "something unexpected."
He said all rock blasting works conducted adhered to strict procedures and supervised by the relevant authority.
Farizan also assured the contractor would undertake all repair costs to the apartment and the affected car owners.
The bypass from Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to Air Itam is one of the projects under the Major Roads and Third Link Components (PMRT) and the PTMP which started in 2021 for Section 1 and in 2022 for Sections 2 to 6.
Once completed, the 5.7km-toll-free road connecting Bandar Baharu Air Itam and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway will shorten travel time from 40 minutes to around five minutes.
Back in 2018, the Penang government announced that the proposed three paired roads project in the multi-billion ringgit Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) would cut across 21 rivers, 35 sensitive areas and 54 areas with noise impact.
There would also be tunnels.
State Public Works committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari had said the roads, which were about 20km in length, would take about seven years to complete.
