Summary Reader Response Draft 2

According to an online article, “Nature Group Seeks More Information on Impact of Cross Island Site Investigations” from Today Online (2018), the drilling works in MacRitchie forest for the Cross Island MRT line has led to concerns due to the lack of details that affirm the effectiveness of precautions taken by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Ms Chloe Tan, project manager of Love Our MacRitchie Forest group has received questions for LTA from nine parties. Camera traps were set up three to six months before and after works to validate measures. The data collected was studied and the project was classified to have a “mainly moderate” impact on wildlife. The harm of the on-site investigation works included drillings of 16 boreholes to study the earth conditions for the Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) to determine a tunnel under MacRitchie forest or to skirt around it. Nonetheless, LTA will be working with the various agencies on the second phase of assessment to forecast the impact of both alignments since that there has been a debate on the after-effects for residents living in the area. Hence, tunneling works under MacRitchie forest will be more favourable rather than skirting around it. 

Environmental organisations such as the National Parks Board and other nature groups have been working with LTA for over three years before the site investigation started. LTA was aware of the environmental impact in which, there was a significant reduction of required boreholes from 72 to 16 (LTA as cited in Wong, 2018). There was also a comprehensive plan that instructs workers on how to operate the engine pump to avoid petrol leakage (Wong, 2018). The actions taken by LTA shows that they are taking all the necessary precautions to reduce the impact of the ecosystem. 

Moreover, the cost to skirt around MacRitchie reservoir will be an additional $2 billion as compared to going under the MacRitchie reservoir (Toh, 2019). The writer mentions that an additional $2 billion will be needed to skirt around MacRitchie reservoir as there is more work that needs to be done along the alternative route. This created fear for residents living in the area as they might need to relocate due to the government procuring more land for the construction (Lim, 2016). It includes three worksites, a building facility and ventilation shafts to circulate air inside the tunnel (Chong as cited in Lim, 2016).

Building the Cross Island line across could save commuters 6 minutes of travelling time as it will be 5km shorter as compared to skirting around MacRitchie reservoir (Toh, 2019). With the reduction in travelling time, commuters travelling across the island will be able to save up to 50 to 70 minutes in travel time (Minister Khaw as cited in Navaratnarajah, 2019). I strongly believe that this new MRT line will reduce the congestion by giving commuters more flexibility in getting to their destination. 

In conclusion, the option to go underneath the MacRitchie reservoir will cause concerns to the public and might potentially impact the environment in Singapore. However, these concerns can be mitigated by LTA doing their part to do all the relevant data collection and precautions needed before deciding which will be the way forward. If LTA is able to reassure the public by sharing their data collected and working closely with the relevant communities, building the Cross Island MRT line underneath MacRitchie will be better for Singapore. 

References 

Wong, D. (2018). MRT soil probe: Steps to ease impact on wildlife working. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/mrt-soil-probe-steps-to-ease-impact-on-wildlife-working 

Toh, W (2019). Cross Island Line: Running under nature reserve or skirting it both feasible, says LTA. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-running-under-nature-reserve-or-skirting-it-both-feasible-says

Lim, A (2016). Cross Island Line sparks residents' fears. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cross-island-line-sparks-residents-fears 

Navaratnarajah, R. (2019). Future Cross Island Line to cut travel time by up to 70 mins. Retrieved 29 September 2019, from https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2019/1/177791/future-cross-island-line-to-cut-travel-time-by-up-to-70-mins