Infrastructure & development

• The government acknowledged that Singapore’s seaports are experiencing congestion due to global disruptions like the Red Sea crisis, leading to vessel bunching and longer handling times, but is actively responding through operational adjustments and capacity expansion.
• Efforts include reactivating berths, ramping up capacity at existing terminals, and adding new berths at Tuas Port, with Pasir Panjang Terminal remaining operational until at least 2040 to ensure a smooth transition and continuous growth in container handling capacity.
• The Ministry of Transport and Maritime and Port Authority are collaborating with partners to optimize vessel arrivals, support worker needs, and manage the situation, while noting that the Red Sea crisis may persist and further demand surges could complicate congestion management.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the rationale for building civil defence shelters in housing estates, the scarcity in newer estates like Sengkang and Punggol, and whether in-built HDB shelters are as safe as public ones.
• Minister K Shanmugam explained that residents have little time during war, making home shelters safer than rushing to public shelters, which are now mainly for essential activities outside.
• Since 1998, all residential developments in Singapore must have shelters in each unit or common shelters per floor or staircase.
• Public shelters at MRT stations, schools, and community centres are primarily for those conducting essential activities outside during crises.
• All civil defence shelters, whether residential or public, meet SCDF technical specifications for protection against blasts and fragmentation.
• The government considers residential shelters the most effective and will continue using them as the primary sheltering method for the public.

• Ang Wei Neng sought an update on the prospects of reviving the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail project, noting Malaysia's recent shortlisting of three consortia for construction.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that Singapore has not received any new proposal from Malaysia regarding the project.
• He reiterated that Singapore remains open to discussing new proposals with Malaysia in good faith, starting from a clean slate.

• The 3 June 2024 MRT disruption was caused by a lightning strike damaging a power control box near Kranji station, with a surge arrester failing to operate as intended.
• The current lightning protection systems comply with standards, but maintenance frequency for surge arresters is under review, especially in lightning-prone areas, with the faulty unit replaced and others checked.
• LTA and operators are strengthening incident response plans based on feedback, focusing on clearer public announcements and better crowd control during disruptions.
• Yew Tee and Limbang residents are currently served by the North-South Line and bus connections, with future Downtown Line extensions expected by the mid-2030s.

• Gan Thiam Poh proposed that HDB shorten the BTO waiting time to 18 months, citing lessons from pandemic delays.
• Desmond Lee reported that HDB has reduced waiting times, with nearly 70% of 2023 flats ready in four years or less, and is on track to meet its target of 2,000-3,000 shorter-waiting-time flats annually a year early.
• HDB is also expanding interim housing support by doubling the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme supply and offering vouchers for rental costs, while acknowledging operational challenges in accelerating flat delivery.

• Desmond Choo asked about Singapore’s current solar capacity, plans to grow the solar industry, and initiatives to promote solar panel installation in private homes, with Gan Kim Yong responding that the country is on track to meet its 2 GWp target by 2030, having achieved 1.17 GWp by end-2023, and that the clean energy workforce is projected to grow from 1,500 to at least 2,700 by 2032.
• The government is accelerating solar deployment through programmes like SolarNova, which aggregates public sector demand, and by developing floating solar on reservoirs, but there are no plans to subsidise solar panel installation in private residential properties.
• Gan Kim Yong noted that the cost of solar panels has decreased over time and that solar energy is now generally cheaper than retail electricity prices.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about technical restrictions for zebra crossings in public housing estates, private residential areas, and commercial projects. Chee Hong Tat responded that safety is a key consideration for implementing zebra crossings, including visibility between pedestrians and motorists. The Housing and Development Board follows similar safety assessments as the Land Transport Authority for public housing estates. For commercial projects, the LTA collaborates with developers on these safety criteria.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested an update on the investigations into the deaths of two construction workers at the LTA worksites for the Tengah integrated rail and bus depot and the North-South Corridor. Tan See Leng confirmed that investigations into the incidents at these worksites are ongoing, and the Ministry of Manpower cannot provide further details at the moment.

Hazel Poa questioned the Minister for National Development about heavy vehicle (HV) parking lot statistics and future plans in the west region. Desmond Lee responded that as of March 2024, there are about 40,500 HV lots available, which exceeds the 30,800 HVs registered, with 16,200 of those lots in the West region. There are approximately 700 applicants on the waiting list for public HV lots, which are primarily sought for better accessibility. Plans are being made to gradually reduce the number of public HV lots in residential areas to enhance safety and free up land for other developments, with new public lots being considered carefully. The government will monitor demand to ensure adequate access for HV drivers across the island.

Hany Soh raised questions about the traffic impact assessment (TIA) conducted by LTA for the Woodgrove Edge BTO project, specifically asking if LTA conducted its own independent assessment. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that LTA did conduct a TIA and implemented measures to manage increased traffic, including directing motorists to exit via lower-traffic roads. LTA will collaborate with HDB to monitor traffic and consider feedback from residents regarding the changes.

Murali Pillai raised concerns regarding the increase in motorcycle-related fatalities on expressways and queried whether the LTA would reconsider building motorcycle lanes and what other safety measures were planned. Chee Hong Tat acknowledged the concerns and outlined LTA's existing safety engineering measures, such as skid-resistant surfaces and prominent lane markings. He stated that constructing motorcycle lanes on expressways is not feasible due to land constraints and the design of many expressway sections. The Government is committed to enhancing road safety for motorcyclists through various initiatives, including outreach campaigns like Singapore Road Safety Month and the Singapore Ride Safe Campaign.

He Ting Ru requested an update on the studies for potential locations of on-road cycling lanes and the possibility of trials for dedicated lanes in high-density residential areas. Chee Hong Tat responded that there are existing full-day and Sunday-only on-road cycling lanes at specific locations and emphasized that such lanes are feasible only where vehicular traffic is low. He stated that the priority is to expand off-road cycling infrastructure, which is deemed safer for both cyclists and motorists.

Hany Soh asked about the progress and expected completion date for the upgrading works at Yishun Innova Junior College. Chan Chun Sing responded that the upgrading is scheduled to be completed in 2027, and the school will operate from its permanent site starting January 2028, which is a year later than previously announced. The delay was due to additional time required to finalize the design and other parameters for the works.

Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant raised concerns regarding electric vehicles (EVs), specifically about the availability of charging points, public education on EV adoption, and Singapore's progress compared to developed economies. Chee Hong Tat acknowledged that a key concern for EV owners is the accessibility of charging points, with over 6,200 chargers already deployed and plans for installation in all HDB carparks by the end of 2025. The government is also addressing the needs of high-mileage drivers by introducing fast chargers in key locations. The Land Transport Authority will continue to promote EV information and responsible charging practices.

• The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group use national planning scenarios and international best practices to fortify Changi Airport’s infrastructure against extreme rainfall and climate change, implementing measures like widened drains, new drainage outlets, rainwater detention tanks, and local flood barriers.
• Water level monitoring sensors across the airport’s drainage network provide real-time awareness and enable early intervention to prevent flooding and maintain operational continuity.
• The Changi East development includes an extensive drain network, and future facilities like Terminal 5 and the airfield will be built 5.5 metres above mean sea level to protect against intensified rainfall and rising sea levels.

• Don Wee inquired about the demolition timeline for three semi-permanent Quick Build Dormitories at Choa Chu Kang Grove, built to curb COVID-19 among migrant workers.
• Tan See Leng confirmed the dormitories are slated for demolition when their leases expire in 2025.
• A temporary lease extension may be considered if dormitory bed shortages persist in 2025.

• Derrick Goh asked when Nee Soon Link residents can resume booking North View Primary School's indoor sports hall under the ActiveSG Dual-Use Scheme, noting the MOE Kindergarten building was completed in 2022.
• Chan Chun Sing responded that the indoor sports hall is expected to be available for public booking in the third quarter of 2024, after dedicated public access route works are completed.

• Miss Rachel Ong asked if smart water meters could be used to monitor seniors living alone and alert caregivers of unusual water usage.
• The Public Utilities Board is rolling out smart water meters to 300,000 premises by 2024, allowing residents to track consumption and receive leak alerts.
• Currently, there are no plans to use smart meters for senior monitoring; PUB will review the programme after Phase 1 before considering other applications.

• Usha Chandradas asked about the completion and reopening timelines for SAM's two redevelopment sites at the former St Joseph's Institution building and former Catholic High School building, and how SAM's current TPD space will be used after reopening.
• Edwin Tong responded that SAM has been operating successfully at TPD since 2022, with its space well-suited for contemporary art exhibitions and receiving positive visitor feedback.
• SAM plans to remain at TPD in the near future, and the Ministry is considering plans for the Old St Joseph's Institution building with more details to be shared later.

• Lim Biow Chuan asked whether the Marina Bay Golf Course development plans have been finalised and, if not, whether the Singapore Land Authority could extend its lease until plans are set.
• The government announced in 2014 that the lease would not be renewed after July this year to allow redevelopment of the site.
• The site is designated for uses including the expanded Bay East Garden and Founders' Memorial, with construction expected to start soon after the land is returned.
• The Singapore Land Authority cannot grant any lease extension as the land is required for these planned developments.