A town planning expert is calling on local governments to mandate common utility tunnelling in new developments following the Putra Heights gas pipeline blast.

Local government and urban planning expert Derek J. Fernandez, a former Petaling Jaya City councillor, said utility tunnels were crucial in ensuring infrastructure safety and efficiency.

“For new areas, we must require common utility tunnelling, actual tunnels where you can walk in and look at the utilities,” he told the New Straits Times’ “Beyond the Headlines” podcast yesterday.

“Putrajaya has a very effective common utility project. There’s no more road digging.” Fernandez said cost-saving lobbyists were attempting to weaken these regulations.

“Some people want to remove it or cut down its scope, which will mean that digging returns and you can’t inspect what’s underground.”

He said if such a system had been in place in Putra Heights, the explosion could have been prevented.

“If we had gas piping through common utility tunnelling, it would have been easier to detect problems as you could just walk in (to check),” he said.

Fernandez also proposed monetising the tunnels by allowing utility providers to pay for access, making it financially viable for local councils.

“This should be mandatory. Safety must come before costsaving.”

Meanwhile, Innoveam Sdn Bhd managing director and consultant engineer Zamir Rashid highlighted the need for advanced remote monitoring systems, such as real-time pressure monitoring and leak detection, to prevent similar disasters and ensure quick emergency response.

“We need real-time data from pressure monitoring and leak detection systems,” said Zamir, who specialises in 3D engineering simulations.

He added that digital technologies could improve safety and response times. The April 1 blaze at the Petronas gas pipeline caused RM65.4 million in damage, affected 487 homes and 365 vehicles, injured 112 people and displaced 509 families.