National water agency PUB has completed the Syed Alwi Pumping Station (SAPS), a key addition to Singapore’s flood protection infrastructure aimed at safeguarding the low-lying Jalan Besar and Little India areas.
Located beside Rochor Canal along Syed Alwi Road, the fully automated facility is designed to collect and divert stormwater into an underground tank before pumping it downstream into the canal. It serves a 30-hectare catchment area and is part of PUB’s broader strategy to manage stormwater more effectively as climate change drives more frequent and intense rainfall events.
Previously, two drains along Syed Alwi Road flowed directly into Rochor Canal. However, the canal also receives stormwater from other parts of Singapore, which could cause water to back up into the drains and flood the surrounding area during intense storms.
o address this, the new pumping station is equipped with two floodgates that can be shut during storms to prevent backflow into the drains. Rainwater falling over the area will now be diverted through three inlets into an underground tank. Metal grilles at the inlets sieve out large debris, helping to keep the system efficient and free of blockages. When the water level in the tank reaches 4.5 metres, pumps are activated to discharge the water into the downstream section of the canal, reducing flood risk.
Jalan Besar, a low-lying area, has historically faced flood risks, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s.
SAPS forms part of PUB’s broader efforts to strengthen Singapore’s flood resilience in the face of climate change and more extreme rainfall events.
It complements earlier flood protection measures in the area, including the upgrading of drains and road-raising works in 2014, and the widening and deepening of Rochor Canal in 2015, which also benefited neighbouring roads like Veerasamy Road, Hindoo Road, and Desker Road.
To preserve the area’s rich architectural heritage, SAPS was developed as an underground solution, eliminating the need for extensive redevelopment to raise ground levels.
The facility occupies about 1,190 square metres underground—roughly one-sixth the size of a football field. During storms, it diverts stormwater from the upstream section of Rochor Canal, stores it in a tank, and pumps it downstream to reduce flood risk.
Above ground, the facility includes a compact control building. An adjacent open plaza is being developed as a public community space and will integrate with the upcoming Build-To-Order project, King George’s Heights. Sustainability features like a green roof and green wall have also been incorporated into the design.
While PUB continues to enhance Singapore’s drainage systems, the agency cautions that absolute flood protection is not feasible. It stressed the importance of building community resilience, urging building owners and contractors to maintain their internal drainage systems and adopt flood protection measures in line with guidelines.
