FLOOD AT 6� MILESTONE UPPER SERANGOON ROAD

Mr Ng Teng Kian asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the land at Lot 972 S.G. 32557 at 6� milestone Upper Serangoon Road is constantly flooded due to the present channelling of the main-road drains, and what action does he propose to take in the matter.

The Prime Minister: The land referred to is a low-lying area which is flooded after a heavy rain by a run-out from 96 odd acres of land on the opposite side of Upper Serangoon Road between the 6� and the 7 milestones. The run out converges into a culvert at the 6� milestone Upper Serangoon Road from where it flows under the road into an earth drain which passes through Lot 97-2 and empties into the swampland around Sungei Serangoon further east. Sungei Serangoon is further affected by tides and this aggravates flooding at high tide, The area affected is very extensive. No easy solution can be found until the area between the Tampines Road Canal and the sea to the mouth of Sungei Serangoon is surveyed by engineers to decide a proper alignment for a new canal to drain water away from the Tampines Road Canal to the sea. A survey was commenced in January and will be completed in about six months' time. Meanwhile, the shallow earth drain crossing this portion of the land which silts rapidly is being cleared and will continue to be cleared whenever necessary to alleviate the position. I hope to visit Punggol in the next few weeks and will see what more can be clone about this.

Mr Ong Chang Sam (Choa Chu Kang): (In Mandarin): According to what the Prime Minister has said, does it mean that this drain can only be looked into after his visit to this place? Before his visit, if there is any flood, is the Government going to pay for the damage?

The Prime Minister: The Member for Choa Chu Kang did not listen to the last part of my answer. We are alleviating the position by clearing the shallow earth drain crossing the portion of the land which silts rapidly. This alleviates the situation, and if there is anything more that can be done, I will do so. Nothing is being left to flooding.