No need for another townhall session on 3-paired highways, says Zairil

BATU KAWAN: There is no need to conduct another townhall session for the proposed three paired highways which are under the Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd segment of the Penang Transport Masterplan.
Instead, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari (pix), who is in charge of public work, utilities and flood mitigation, proposed for alternative channels to air any grievances about the highway roads.
Last week, the developer – Zenith together with the state disclosed that the three highways which crisscross across the island, have been approved by the Department of Environment after a limited Environmental Impact Assessment Report was scrutinised.
To this, Penang Forum luminary Khoo Salma Nasution has mooted for another townhall setting to discuss the project.
But Zairil said that the EIA was made public and the people were given an opportunity to go through the report.
"Penang has become the only state to widely engage as many people as possible over the proposed transport master plan. We have been transparent and we have shown our sincerity in wanting the best."
To Zairil, the state remained committed in engaging the public, but not necessarily through a townhall setting.
"There are other channels including meetings and conferences which can be held to discuss the matter."
The highways constitute linkages between Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang, and from AIr Itam as well as Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
The roads would either be constructed through an underground tunnel passage and an elevated point due to the acute shortage of land here.
Earlier, Zairil launched the 4.8ha wide central island park at the Aspen Vision City project in Batu Kawan.
The project is the developer Aspen Group's flagship master city mix - development project, and it represents the major signal that the Batu Kawan satellite city is on track towards fruition.
For example, the Ikea Group will also open their major store up north, two years ahead of schedule, by March 2019.
Aspen Vision City is an integrated RM2.3 billion township.
Located just after the Sultan Mua'dzam Shah Bridge (Second Penang Bridge), Aspen as the master developer will conceive. the following: a commercial precinct; condominiums, the first Ikea store in the northern region, a financial centre, a Columbia Asia medical centre, designer bungalows, a business hotel, an international school, office towers and a transportation hub.