www.shaproperty.com

PLEASE refer to the May 15 letter in which Mr Patrick Tan suggested the demolition of HDB blocks where lift upgrading was considered too expensive.

The HDB is constantly exploring the use of technology to implement the lift upgrading programme in a more efficient and cost effective way.

Most recently, with the use of machine-roomless lifts and lighter building materials for lift shafts, the cost is now much lower.

The HDB will continue to explore ways to bring down the costs of lift upgrading.

The target is to complete the lift upgrading programme by 2014 for all HDB blocks which currently do not have lifts that stop on every floor, as long as it is technically and economically feasible to do so.

In the case of Block 121 Paya Lebar Way, the upgrading of the lifts in this block was offered during the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) for the precinct.

However, at the polling conducted in 2004, the support for the main upgrading programme was below the 75 per cent benchmark.

For this reason, the proposed Main Upgrading Programme for the precinct, which would include lift upgrading, could not proceed. It wasn't because it was too expensive to do so.

Thomas Seow
Deputy Director (Upgrading)
Housing & Development Board