Source: The Selangor Times
By Brenda Ch’ng
Klang: Little India, which is synonymous with traffic snarls, crime and filth besides being prone to flash floods, is getting an upgrade to improve the image of the royal town.
” Major infrastructure upgrades will be undertaken by the council to improve the street’s (Jalan Tengku Kelana) appearance and to give it a new image”, said Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh Akhir.
The Klang Orang Besar, who is also a councillor at the Klang Municipal Council (MPK), said the upgrades would be carried out in stages under the council’s local draft plan.
The improvements include replacing all streetlight bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) lights to provide brighter lighting, and installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
The measures are to ensure the safety of shoppers.
MPK will also propose a study to be carried out by the Public Works Department (JKR) to resolve traffic woes.
” Something major has to be done about traffic on the street because there have been numerous complaints about the congestion”, said Abdul Ghani.
He is also pushing for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to change existing electricity cables to prevent electrical fires from destroying the pre-war shoplots.
He added that MPK was also waiting for the shopowners to send in their own proposals before starting work to improve the facade of popular tourist attraction.
To speed up the process, Abdul Ghani wants shopowners to share ideas and submit their proposals to council quickly.
Meanwhile, the council has allocated RM3.5 million for flood mitigation works.
The funds are being used to install new drainage systems through-out Jalan Tengku Kelana and to build three additional flood retention ponds.
Three existing main water culverts will also be replaced, while back-alley drains and their small piping will be resized to wider ones to prevent blockage and leakage.
The year-long project will start in November.
” I’m relieved that they are finally fixing the problem. I have been putting up with this problem for more than 50 years”, said shopowner Ng Chin Kheng.
Despite the proposed plans and upgrades, shopowners are still worried about water and electricity supply and rubbish collection for the upcoming Deepavali festival period on Oct 26.
” Every Deepavali, we face disruption of water and electricity . I have even seen sparks from the electricity cables outside my shop, and there were times I thought they were going to explore”, said Klang Indian Chamber of Commerce chairperson NP Raman.
He added that there are no enforcement officers to oversee traffic congestion and heavy traffic flow during the festive month.
To make matters worse, illegal double parking and illegal traders who conduct business along the roads disrupt traffic flow.
” It is hard for us to do business when people cannot access our shop due to illegal traders who trade right out shops”, said Little India Business Association president Muthusamy Thirumeni.
Despite numerous complaints, he said nothing has been done to resolve their problems.
Now, the president and chairperson of the two committees want the council to set up a response team to address issues that will arise during Deepavali.
” A meeting will be held with all authorities at the end of the month to discuss the procedures to ensure that operations on the street run smoothly during the festival”, said Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago.
He asked shopowners to list all problemsbefore the next meeting.
This list will then be sent to MPK,TNB, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and Alam Flora.
He urged police and MPK enforcement officers to patrol the streets during the festive month.
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