OUTLET DRAIN AT AROOZOO LANE (Heavy silting and erosion)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether he is aware that the big outlet drain at Aroozoo Lane leading to Tampines Road is in a terrible state, cluttered up with rubbish, heavily silted and badly eroded, and what remedial measures his Ministry proposes to take.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, the outlet drain at Aroozoo Lane is an earth drain subject to erosion and silt. This area is heavily squattered and rubbish is thrown indiscriminately into the drain by the residents.

The permanent solution to the problem is the redevelopment of the area and the construction of a concrete drain in conjunction with the Housing and Development Board industrial estate development downstream. The Drainage Department has plans to build this drain from Aroozoo Lane to Sungei Serangoon and, if the proposal is approved, work should commence in about two years' time.

In the meantime, the Ministry will continue to desilt and clear the drain of rubbish whenever necessary.