By Amin Ridzuan Ishak
SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — The state government formed the Selangor Utility Corridor (Kusel) to facilitate utility companies in their applications for development permits from the local authorities, said state executive councillor for infrastructure Izham Hashim.
He said Kusel, under Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI, also plays a role in providing guidelines for utility facilities and road construction.
Izham, who is also Kusel's chairman, said the guide helps utility companies save on development costs and prevent serious damage to existing facilities like roads, which affect many users.
"Underground utilities can easily be damaged if they are not arranged. For example, when adding a water pipe, it is necessary to dig but one could end up hitting other existing pipes.
"The costs of repairing such damage are usually quite high, and the utility company has to bear it due to third-party work. Kusel aims to reduce such costs," he said in an interview on December 20.
He added Kusel's establishment is also in line with the desire to make Selangor a Smart State by 2025, by preparing a conducive environment for the wider society at large.
As a developed country, Izham said the need for development is increasing in urgency, but at the same time, the construction should not affect the lives of the community.
The guidelines for facility routes and road excavations developed by Kusel and certified by the Town and Country Planning Department was also been approved by the Selangor State Executive Council (MMKN) meeting in August.
Companies related to telecommunications, water, electricity, sewerage, gas, as well as real estate developers, may refer to the guidelines on www.kusel.my.
