SIMPANG PULAI: The closure of Federal Route FT185 Jalan Simpang Pulai-Blue Valley Section 42.70 due to a landslide has not affected vegetable, fruit, and flower farmers in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, although they now face longer travel times to deliver their goods to business destinations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin stated that his team understands the challenges faced by these entrepreneurs, who are required to use a longer alternative route via the Tapah road. “Business is still running, but not as fast as normally. They can make deliveries to Penang by noon using this route, but the Tapah route takes longer,” he explained. Nizar emphasized that the road closure does not mean businesses have completely stopped.

He further mentioned that if the road could be opened at night from November 25, it would alleviate entrepreneurs’ difficulties by 80 to 90 percent. Works Minister Datuk Seri
Alexander Nanta Linggi has assured that the ministry will not compromise on safety, even with the economic implications for local businesses. Both Nanta and Nizar inspected the slope repair process following the landslide on October 23.

Cameron Highlands flower farmer K. Kalaichelvan, 60, expressed concerns about the road closure causing potential losses, as the Tapah route leads to traffic congestion due to long trailers and tourists. He worried that delays could result in spoiled produce. Additionally, medical emergencies could be impacted, as travel to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh could increase from one hour to three hours.

Kalaichelvan also highlighted the extended travel time for entrepreneurs sending produce to Penang and Kedah, which now takes four hours via the Tapah-Cameron Highlands route, compared to one hour via the Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands route. He suggested that limited road openings for entrepreneurs might help mitigate congestion.

Emergency soil clean-up work began o
n November 1, including the installation of canvas plastic and gabions. The Public Works Department (JKR) expects the entire emergency work to be completed by the end of December, with the road planned to reopen for all traffic on November 25.