Walking the railway together [9 Jul]
Join us for a walk with Minister of State for National Development, Tan Chuan-Jin, tomorrow 6am, starting at the carpark next to Silat Walk Blk 25/26. Or you can join in later along the railway, check out the maps of the walking routes on how to get around. See you tomorrow!
Read latest details of the walk at https://www.facebook.com/notes/tan-chuan-jin/walking-the-railway-together/213262195383230. Here’s the last update (at 8 Jul, 11:30am):
I am planning to walk the length of the railway from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to Woodlands. Would like to see it all before the rail and sleepers are taken away. Will be walking with our friends who feel passionately about this piece of land and the life around it. Join us if you are free?
6.00am Silat Estate: Starts trek at Silat Walk Car Park next to Blk 25/26. (double confirmed!)
6.30am Should commence after hanging around and sorting ourselves out.
9.00am (6km from Start Pt): Reach Buona Vista MRT
10.30am (10.8km from Start Pt): Reach Bt Timah Railway Station
12.30am (13.6km from Start Pt): Reach Rail Mall
1.30pm Proceed with rest of the trek along the corridor
7.00pm End at Kranji Road (23km from start point). Easier access from here to exit.
btw, please be adequately hydrated before you start and bring along ample water for drinking; snacks or whatever you fancy for energy along the way. Wear a STURDY pair of shoes (poor soles have been seen left behind along the way 🙂 , put on sun block, caps etc. If not feeling well, please feel free to stop at various exit points along the way.
Authorities to engage stakeholders, community on redevelopment of KTM railway
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia, 2 Jul 2011.
Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin said the authorities will extensively engage various stakeholders and the community in the redevelopment of the KTM railway tracks. He added that the work will take a few years.
Speaking on the sidelines of a photography competition organised by the National Parks Board, Brigadier-General Tan told reporters there will be regular meetings with stakeholders. These include schools and non-governmental organisations like nature and heritage societies.
He said this is to understand their concerns and engage the community.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Government in talks on ‘green corridor’
By Grace Chua, Straits Times, 16 Jun 2011.
The Minister of State for National Development has sounded what green groups have read as a positive note on the fate of the island’s north-south strip of railway land.
Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan Jin indicated in a Facebook post that the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the National Parks Board have been in talks with the Nature Society of Singapore (NSS) over several interest groups’ proposal to turn the land into a continuous strip of recreational space.
The 173.7ha tract of land, which now belongs to Malaysia’s Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), reverts to Singapore on July 1. About 40km of railway now sit on it – 26km from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands, and at least a further 14km of disused line from Clementi to Jurong.
Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore
Pockets of solitude, places to retreat to in Green Corridor
By Lynda Hong Ee Lyn, TODAY, 16 Jun 2011.
The possibility of conserving the KTM railway and its green environs, termed the Green Corridor, is under serious consideration, said Minister of State for National Development, Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin.
He revealed on his Facebook page that the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the National Parks Board have been discussing the possibility with the Nature Society Singapore (NSS), which submitted a proposal in October last year.
He added: “I have read their … proposal and it’s fascinating.”
The challenges faced by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the “re-looking of policies so that we can meet the needs of Singaporeans” has sharpened his own sense on what is Singapore – a small nation that needs to squeeze in housing, recreation, industry, business, defence, catchment and heritage needs in slightly over 700 sq km of land, BG (NS) Tan said.
Source: TODAY
Our Green Home
By Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister of State for National Development, 15 Jun 2011 (this note was posted on his Facebook page).
“Home is where your friends are…where your family is.”
We have been having weekly brainstorming sessions at MND to study and discuss the issues facing us. We are moving on HDB challenges. We are re-looking at policies so that we can meet the needs of Singaporeans. These are unfolding and more will be shared when ready. We may not be able to meet all needs, but we can certainly do more than where we are today.
Looking at these issues have also sharpened my own sense about what home is for us. We are not really in the business of just building houses. It is about providing living space and common space amidst challenges that few countries face. I have always been struck by what Koon Hean, CEO HDB, shared about how there is little basis to compare us with Hong Kong, New York and other great cities. They are all part of a country whilst we are an entire country squeezed into slightly over 700+ square kilometres. Land is needed for: housing, recreation, industry, business, defence, catchment, heritage. Serious decisions are required. Trade-off is a bad word but that is what faces us all the time. Not easy. Few cities grapple with all these for they all invaribly have a hinterland to fall back on….we don’t. Read more
