IN a matter of three days, the Works Ministry has changed its stand on proposals to ease the congestion on the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) - it now fully supports the development of a light rail transit (LRT) system rather than an alternative highway.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the construction of the LRT line will be cheaper in terms of capital outlay, especially after considering costly land acquisition.

Besides, when toll is imposed for the alternative highway, the people are certain to express their outrage, he added. "Between building a new, big road and an LRT line, I prefer the LRT."

Asked why the ministry initially felt an alternative highway to LDP was better option, he said it was recommended by PLUS Expressways Bhd.

"LRT should be the solution (instead), since the Klang Valley, with a 4.5 million population has 3.5 million vehicles commuting daily, with almost every car occupied by one person. I fully support this LRT proposal to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and will also make an oral notification to both the cabinet as well as the National Economic Action Council to address traffic congestion," he said.

It was reported earlier that the government was considering building an alternative highway as the LDP has exceeded its capacity of 120,000 cars a day.

The Sungai Penchala and the Bandar Sunway areas were described as being especially bad and had reached level 'E' (the worst) condition.  In many places, the current traffic volume is up to the brim or level 'F'.

Meanwhile, the situation at toll booths in the south and west of Puchong had reached the 'D' level while at Sri Petaling it is 'F'.

The 40km LDP was built at a cost of RM1.08 bullion and was opened to road users in 1999.  The land acquisition cost of RM123.83 million was borne by the concessionaire, Lintasan Transkota Sdn Bhd, which has a 33-year contract to operate the highway.

To date, LDP has recorded a high number of accidents; for instance, between January and September this year, there were 1,561 accidents.

Zin had earlier directed the Malaysia Highway Authority to undertake a feasibility study for an alternative highway.

"Opening an alternative highway to the LDP will also benefit the hundreds of thousands of people living in residential areas off the highway.  A the same time, I would also recommend that the LDP concessionaire put more efforts into enhancing the infrastructure and developing ways to reduce congestion," he had said.

The government announced two months ago that RM35 billion would be set aside to improve public transport during the period 2009 to 2014.

The existing LRT system in the Klang Valley would be extended by 30km, is 15km each, for the Kelana Jaya and Ampang lines respectively.

Upon completion is 2011, the extension are expected to benefit 2.6 million residents in the Subang Jaya-USJ and Kinrara-Puchong areas, compared with 1.9 million currently.