Bus lane will proceed

What say you on the issue below?

THE government will go ahead with the proposed bus lane and taxi system in Little India, Brickfields, early next month despite objections from traders in the area.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said work on the bus lane would be completed by this month.

However, Nong Chik said if the proposed bus and taxi lane for Brickfields fail to ease traffic congestion, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would find other ways to improve the flow.

The bus lane was mooted by the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry to ease congestion in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and other main roads in Brickfields.

It was reported recently that shopkeepers in Brickfields would take legal action against City Hall if the local authority implements the bus lane and taxi system in Little India.

Business owners operating from the Public Bank right up to the Saravana Bhavan Restaurant in Jalan Tun Sambanthan said they anticipated more losses if the bus lane was introduced.

Heartful gesture: Takaful Ikhlas president and CEO Datuk Syed Moheed Syed Kamarulzaman (in green) and Nong Chik (in purple) with the zakat recipients during the programme held at the Masjid Al-Ikhlasiah in Bukit Kerinchi.

They are convinced that the bus lane running through Jalan Tun Sambanthan into Little India would worsen the traffic congestion in the township and “kill” businesses in the long run.

Nong Chik had earlier said the bus lane was mooted after taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders in Brickfields.

Buses and taxis will use Jalan Tun Sambanthan (from Esso/Public Bank) and cut off to Jalan Travers at the Little India Fountain and head to Seputeh through Jalan Tun Sambanthan in front of the Sri Paandi restaurant.

Nong Chik said the ministry was also planning to improve the traffic flow in Lembah Pantai to keep up with the rapid development in the area.

“We have to take into consideration the views of the residents in planning the traffic flow in this area,” he said after launching the Majlis Korban Perdana programme organised by Takaful Ikhlas yesterday for Aidiladha which was held at the Masjid Al-Ikhlasiah in Bukit Kerinchi.

Takaful Ikhlas contributed 10 cows and 10 goats to be distributed to Kampung Kerinchi residents.

The Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association and the Pertubuhan Baitul Makmur as well as 50 people received contributions during the programme.

The programme is part of the Takaful Ikhlas CSR programme for Aidiladha which was carried out at their regional offices throughout the country.