Coordination of Repair Works to Minimise Excavation of Roads

11 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Transport (a) how are excavation works to repair telecom cables, water pipes, sewage pipes and other underground works coordinated across agencies such that excavation work is minimised and shared across agencies to the fullest extent possible; and (b) whether the Government will consider tracking and publishing the instances when excavation works are undertaken at the same area multiple times within the same six-month period as a measure of the effectiveness of such co-ordination.

The Minister for Transport (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Sir, before I reply to this question, can I give a short reply to the earlier supplementary question by Mr Dennis Tan.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Emergency brakes can be applied even when the train is in automatic mode.

Road works are coordinated by the Road Opening Coordination Committee (ROCC) which comprises representatives from Government agencies, utility and telecoms service providers. It is chaired by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). As far as possible, the Committee schedules the work plans of the respective agencies to minimise inconvenience to commuters and residents. However, some works cannot be planned for, such as emergency repairs of cable faults or gas leaks. We will ask the Committee to consider publishing indicators of the effectiveness of their coordination efforts.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Er Dr Lee Bee Wah.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Question No 12.

Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member): Mr Deputy Speaker, I think Question No 11 has not been answered yet.

Mr Deputy Speaker: The Minister for Transport has answered Question No 11. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah.