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Villagers plead for pedestrian bridge over dangerous railway tracks
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Energy & Infrastructure

Villagers plead for pedestrian bridge over dangerous railway tracks

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Residents of Kampung Mela, Malaysia, have faced safety risks for over two decades while crossing railway tracks to reach essential facilities.
  • Repeated requests for a pedestrian bridge have been made by local committees to the authorities.
  • The community fears a potential accident involving residents, especially children and the elderly, due to frequent train traffic.

For more than 20 years, residents of Kampung Mela and surrounding areas in Lipis, Malaysia, have navigated a dangerous daily reality: crossing active railway tracks to access schools, mosques, businesses, and the local market.

This situation is hazardous for the public... This situation is worrying because we fear undesirable incidents involving residents, especially the elderly and children who commute to school by bicycle and motorcyclists crossing near the station.

— Mohd. Safri SallehA resident of Kampung Mela describing the dangers of crossing railway tracks.

Mohd. Safri Salleh, a resident of Kampung Mela, highlighted the persistent safety concerns. He noted that the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) has repeatedly petitioned authorities for the construction of a pedestrian bridge to facilitate safe passage for pedestrians and motorcyclists. The danger is particularly acute in the mornings when trains from Gemas frequently use the tracks to reach Lipis station, and again at night with express trains traveling from Tumpat to Gemas.

"This situation is hazardous for the public," Safri stated, expressing worry about potential accidents involving the elderly, children commuting to school by bicycle, and motorcyclists crossing near the station. Despite warning signs at the crossing, the area remains busy as residents from Taman Selinsing and five other settlements commute to the mosque and school. "Residents here implore the authorities to build a pedestrian bridge because we cannot afford to use the longer alternative routes," he added.

Residents here implore the authorities to build a pedestrian bridge because we cannot afford to use the longer alternative routes to the mosque, school, and residential areas across the road.

— Mohd. Safri SallehMohd. Safri Salleh explaining the community's need for a pedestrian bridge.

Former Kampung Mela Chief, Rosli Ismail, confirmed that applications for a bridge were submitted annually during his tenure as JPKK Chairman. "Previous applications were based on safety factors because this facility is crucial," he said.

Previous applications were based on safety factors because this facility is crucial.

— Rosli IsmailFormer Kampung Mela Chief Rosli Ismail on the rationale behind past requests for a pedestrian bridge.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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