TAPAH: PLUS Malaysia Bhd will beef up its patrols to clear objects and obstructions along the North-South Expressway following complaints about motorists who suffered tyre damage.
The patrolling would be done every hour, said PLUS C1 Section manager Asnor Ali.
He said there were four patrol teams and two more would be deployed at the stretch between Ipoh and Bidor.
“We have also deployed our contractors, the Propel Intervention Team, to look for and clear obstructions on the road,” he told journalists yesterday.
PLUS and the Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau had met earlier after the bureau received complaints about obstructions on the expressway which led to damaged tyres.
Asnor said more than 50% of the objects found on the road were fragments from retread tyres.
“Other objects we’ve cleared included praying mats, steel rods, wooden planks, rocks and pipes.
“We believe most of these items came off heavy vehicles, like lorries.
“We have on many occasions advised the drivers to tie these objects properly so they won’t fall off,” he said, adding that PLUS has not received any complaints of mischief or acts of sabotage.”
Asnor urged road users and motorists to contact PLUS on its 24-hour hotline 1-800-88-0000 should they see objects lying on the road.
He also said that the road safety joint operation with the relevant authorities had begun.
“There will be patrol vehicles from the Civil Defence and Fire and Rescue Department on standby,” he said, adding that the operation would end on Feb 16.
Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Jimmy Loh said he received two complaints from road users last week about the problem.
“Both the complainants had their car tyres badly damaged because of the obstructions. It was fortunate that they were unharmed.
“Chinese New Year is around the corner and there will be heavy traffic on the expressway.
“We urged PLUS to increase its patrol teams to clear away these obstructions to prevent accidents,” he added.
Keyword: PLUS beefs up patrols to clear objects along North-South Expressway