SUNDAY-30TH DECEMBER 2007-Lim criticises Karamunsing flyover delay

Lim criticises Karamunsing flyover delay
KOTA KINABALU:
The delay in the completion of the Karamunsing Flyover project, which started almost at the same time as the 1956-kilometre Qingzang Railway in Tibet, which has been operational for more than one year now, does not reflect well on the efficiency and accountability of the Government, said Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang. “Despite repeated promises in the past that the project will definitely be completed by the end of this year, it is obvious now that it is impossible with only two days left. “I think both the Federal and the State governments owe the people a good explanation on the repeated delay, which had also inevitably incurred higher costs in the said project,” Lim said yesterday. He pointed out the great challenge and difficulty in constructing the Qinzang Railway, with more than 960 km, or over 80% of the Golmud-Lhasa section, and at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres. “There are 675 bridges, totalling 159.88 km, and over half the length of the railway is laid on permafrost,” he pointed out. Kota Kinabalu DAP Branch Chairman Dr Hiew claimed that he was made to understand that the relevant authorities had granted an extension for the said project.