Infrastructure & development

Tin Pei Ling moved a motion to reduce the budget for the Ministry of Transport, emphasizing the need for strong global connectivity to ensure Singapore's economic vibrancy amidst challenges like trade disruptions. Significant investments are underway, including the construction of Terminal 5 and Tuas Mega Port, aimed at enhancing Singapore's position as a logistics hub. Members raised concerns about the effective deployment of these projects amid uncertain future demand and international conditions, with calls for clearer contingency planning. The importance of addressing the needs of an ageing population and enhancing public transport accessibility was highlighted, with suggestions for more comprehensive public consultation on land transport development. The government committed to ongoing improvements in transport services, including increased bus connectivity and better infrastructure for electric vehicles, while addressing workforce challenges in the transport sector.

Cai Yinzhou questioned the Minister for Education on the identification of schools impacted by the urban heat island effect, progress on applying cool paint and installing ventilation in older schools, and the inclusion of passive cooling designs in new school building standards. The Minister of State for Education, Jasmin Lau, highlighted that the Ministry aims for heat-resilient school designs that emphasize passive cooling and aims for new schools to achieve Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification. By 2027, enhancements such as powerful fans and cool paint will be installed in schools, while specific schools experiencing heat build-up will receive targeted cooling measures. Jasmin Lau mentioned a study indicating that cognitive performance declines at higher temperatures, reinforcing the need for tailored cooling solutions in schools.

Charlene Chen questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about Singapore's strategies to reduce road fatalities by incorporating urban design measures similar to those in cities like Helsinki. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority is continuously reviewing and enhancing road design and infrastructure for better safety. He highlighted the 2023 Friendly Streets initiative aimed at improving walking and cycling safety through reduced speed limits and traffic-calming measures.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the proportion of HDB blocks in Singapore equipped with solar panels under the SolarNova programme and the potential for future increases. Chee Hong Tat responded that approximately 5,300 HDB blocks, or about half of all blocks, had solar panels installed as of December 2025. HDB plans to continue installing solar panels on more blocks as long as the sites are suitable.

Poh Li San questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the Rail Reliability Taskforce's recommendation to advance the North-East Line power supply system renewal to 2026. Jeffrey Siow responded that the renewal is planned to be brought forward by about three years, with work starting in 2026. He noted that it is currently too early to assess the impact on service availability, but efforts will be made to minimize disruption and communicate any necessary service adjustments to commuters in advance.

Valerie Lee asked about measures to alleviate peak hour traffic congestion on Loyang Avenue and the possibility of increasing bus services during the ongoing construction of the Loyang Viaduct. Jeffrey Siow acknowledged the disruptions caused by necessary road closures for the construction, which is aimed at improving travel times upon completion in 2030. To address traffic impact, the Land Transport Authority has enhanced surrounding roads and improved bus service frequency, including two new shuttle services. Additional road or lane closures will proceed carefully, often during off-peak times, and traffic management measures will be utilized to mitigate congestion. LTA will continuously monitor and adjust strategies as needed during the construction period.

Victor Lye questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about the assessment process, timelines, and contingency measures for low-carbon electricity imports approved by the Energy Market Authority. Gan Kim Yong explained that project developers must secure regulatory approvals, finalize power purchase agreements, and obtain financing to commence operations. Successful projects may start commercial operations by the end of the decade, depending on developers meeting milestones within one to two years. The government is also exploring alternative decarbonization pathways including domestic solar deployment, hydrogen, geothermal, and nuclear energy, while preparing for future electricity demand with a second Liquefied Natural Gas terminal by 2030.

Elysa Chen asked if the Government has set an upper limit on Singapore's total data centre capacity by 2030, beyond the plan to add at least 300 megawatts of capacity. Josephine Teo responded that there is no predetermined upper limit, as the Government aims to balance resource constraints and environmental commitments while adopting a calibrated growth approach. Assessments for new data centre capacity use metrics like power and water usage effectiveness to ensure resource efficiency. A forthcoming Digital Infrastructure Act will enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of data centres, with more details to be shared later.

Grace Fu Hai Yien expressed a personal motivation for climate adaptation efforts, highlighting concerns for her granddaughter's future amid climate change challenges. The government will designate 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation, focusing on enhancing heat, flood, and water resilience through collective action involving businesses, communities, and citizens. Concrete measures include infrastructure improvements, the establishment of the Heat Resilience Policy Office, and ongoing research initiatives to better understand and manage heat impacts. The innovative Coastal Protection Bill will also be tabled, emphasizing Singapore's proactive approach to climate risks. The government calls for active public participation in shaping the National Adaptation Plan to ensure a sustainable future for all.

Poh Li San initiated a discussion on climate adaptation funding, emphasizing the urgency of long-term planning, as illustrated by Changi Airport's Terminal 5 elevation and the Tekong Polder project. She raised concerns about public engagement regarding adaptation infrastructure and the need for enhanced climate science partnerships. Nadia Ahmad Samdin highlighted flood resilience and community preparedness, while Syed Harun underscored the necessity for better climate monitoring and health protections against heat stress. Various MPs suggested coordinated strategies across ministries for heat and water resilience, addressed the challenges in recycling and waste management, and discussed the need for effective food security and sustainable practices in Singapore.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about the projected annual electricity and water consumption for the new AI park at one-north, measuring software-level energy efficiency, and whether energy-intensity disclosures would be mandated for large-scale AI models. Josephine Teo clarified that the AI park is not a data centre and its resource consumption will align with similar technology-intensive estates. She highlighted Singapore's commitment to sustainable AI development, emphasizing resource-efficient AI as a priority. Teo mentioned ongoing efforts with the Green Software Foundation to establish methodologies for measuring software energy usage and the introduction of baseline energy efficiency standards for data centres under the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act.

Valerie Lee asked about the solar energy contribution to electricity consumption on Pulau Ubin in 2025, the reliability of the microgrid, and compensation for residents and businesses during power supply interruptions. Gan Kim Yong reported that solar energy accounted for 10% of the electricity demand in 2025, with diesel covering the remaining 90%. The microgrid, which includes a vanadium flow battery storage system and serves over 30 customers, experienced 13 power supply trips that year. He noted that the operator, EDPR, is upgrading the system for better reliability and users affected by outages can seek compensation, which has been previously provided to affected users.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about ensuring barrier-free access on public footpaths for mobility scooters and motorized wheelchairs to prevent users from being forced onto roads. Baey Yam Keng, the Minister of State for Transport, explained that new footpaths must meet specific width requirements and that existing ones are being widened unless site constraints exist. The Land Transport Authority considers resident feedback when planning upgrades in private estates, often in conjunction with other improvements. Tan also inquired about timelines for upgrades in private estates, to which Baey noted that the process is complex and must consider various practical constraints.

Valerie Lee asked about the number of noise-related complaints logged from construction at Loyang Viaduct and Cross Island Line stations from 2023 to 2025, as well as their resolution status. Jeffrey Siow reported approximately 90 cases in 2023 and around 230 cases each in 2024 and 2025. The Land Transport Authority's contractors have engaged with residents to address concerns, implemented mitigation measures when noise exceeded acceptable levels, and held contractors accountable in severe cases.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked if the Ministry of Transport has conducted feasibility studies for Transit Priority Corridors (TPCs) connecting the Central Area to towns along the North East Line, including Punggol, Sengkang, Hougang, and Serangoon. Jeffrey Siow responded that there are currently no plans for a continuous TPC in the north-east region due to insufficient road space. The Land Transport Authority is implementing features such as continuous bus lanes and wider footpaths where possible.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the government about integrating a biodiversity metric into LUSH 3.0 to measure ecological gain, similar to the UK's Biodiversity Net Gain framework. The Minister of State for National Development, Alvin Tan, highlighted that LUSH requires developers to provide significant greenery and has resulted in substantial ecological benefits since its inception. Tan expressed caution about adopting frameworks from other countries without considering local contexts, noting potential challenges the UK has faced with its biodiversity targets. Tan also emphasized a comprehensive approach to biodiversity in Singapore, involving safeguarding green spaces and engaging with biodiversity experts in new developments.

Poh Li San questioned the Minister for National Development about the long-term land allocation for green spaces and the progress of the OneMillionTrees movement under the Singapore Green Plan. Alvin Tan responded that the goal is to add 1,000 hectares of green spaces by 2035, with over 832,000 trees already planted towards the target of one million by 2030. He acknowledged the need for a balance between green spaces and urban development while highlighting initiatives to enhance mental well-being through green spaces and the establishment of therapeutic gardens. Tan also mentioned that the City in Nature vision encompasses broader goals beyond the OneMillionTrees initiative.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye raised concerns about the structural load capacity of existing HDB multi-storey car parks in light of the increasing adoption of heavier electric vehicles. He asked about the design live load standards for HDB car parks, their safety margins given current and projected vehicle weights, and differences in load capacity between older and newer car parks. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that HDB car parks adhere to building codes for vehicles weighing up to 2,000 kg and that current structures remain within safety margins. Agencies are reviewing potential enhancements for car parks to better accommodate heavier vehicles in the future.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about projected heat-related productivity losses in Singapore and asked about the adjustments to labor and urban planning policies in response to these projections, as well as the possibility of implementing mandatory work-rest cycles for high-risk sectors. Tan See Leng confirmed that the Ministry of Manpower has updated the heat stress management framework to include mandatory measures for worker protection against heat stress, such as hourly rest breaks when temperatures reach specific thresholds. Employers are required to report heat-related illnesses under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, and the data shows a low incidence of severe cases. The Ministry plans to enhance its measures through a proactive heat resilience strategy that includes environmental modeling for urban planning and ongoing public advisories on heat stress risk mitigation.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns regarding construction noise from the North-South Corridor project, asking if a cumulative noise cap could be implemented for residential areas affected by concurrent projects and if the 70-metre distance rule for noise barriers could be reviewed given the prolonged infrastructure noise at Nuovo and Castle Green condominiums. Jeffrey Siow responded that the National Environment Agency coordinates with the Land Transport Authority to minimize overlapping construction activities when cumulative noise levels exceed limits and enforces noise regulations. He also mentioned that noise barriers are required within 75 metres of noise-sensitive premises and that noise impact assessments are necessary for construction projects.