Battambang Authorities Embark on 5,000m Canal Restoration Project to Mitigate Urban Flooding

• Sommana Yan
• 25 August 2023
• Local News
• 2512 Views

In an ambitious bid to tackle urban flooding, the Battambang provincial authorities have unveiled a visionary plan to rejuvenate the Kampong Seima canal. Stretching over an impressive 5,000 meters, this significant waterway will undergo a transformation, complemented by the construction of 2-meter-wide box drains. The project, announced during a pivotal meeting on 21 August 2023, will alleviate flood-related challenges plaguing Battambang city’s western precincts.

The canal’s crucial role as a flood management system is set to be enhanced significantly as it traverses six vital communes: Sangkat Toul Ta Ek, Sangkat Chamkar Samrong, Sangkat Slaket, Sangkat O’Mal, Sangkat Wat Kor, and Sangkat Ochar. However, this endeavor has encountered obstacles on the path to revitalization, including unauthorized structures constructed along the canal’s path and illegal attempts to obstruct the canal’s flow. The technical team overseeing the project has emphatically demanded the removal of such encroachments, underlining the necessity of adhering to the canal’s technical specifications for the construction of bridges and sewers.

Addressing the challenges head-on, His Excellency Sok Loo, Governor of Battambang Province, issued a resolute directive during the meeting. He instructed the Battambang Municipal Administration, along with the relevant Sangkats, to expedite the removal of any structures infringing upon the canal’s course and swiftly execute the project’s restoration plan. This step underscores Battambang’s commitment to resilient urban planning and its determination to safeguard the well-being of its residents.

 

• Road and Infrastructure