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,
tunnelling works under MacRitchie forest will be more favourable rather than
skirting around it.
Going under MacRitchie
forest will be more favourable as 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.
Additionally, 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).
Adding on, 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,
tunnelling works under MacRitchie forest will be more functional as compared to
skirting around it. Undeniably, this 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 forest 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
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