CHENG CHEOK STREET AND TAPAH STREET (Plans to alleviate flooding)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy ---

Mr P. Govindaswamy: To ask the Minister for Law and National Development whether the Government is aware that during heavy rains Cheng Cheok Street and Tapah Street are flooded and whether the Government has any plans to remedy the situation.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, Sir, in the absence of Mr P. Govindaswamy, may I ask Question No. 1?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government is aware that during heavy rains, Cheng Cheok Street and Tapah Street are flooded. The levels of the two streets are some three feet below high water during spring tide. This gives rise to flooding when heavy rains occur at the time of spring tide. Flooding is further aggravated by rubbish from the nearby market in Narcis Street which regularly chokes the roadside drains. This flooding in Cheng Cheok Street and Tapah Street is not considered to be serious, as it occurs only when a heavy shower falls during spring tide. It is also difficult to do much in the way of flood alleviation because the area is fully built-up and densely populated.