TRADERS and business owners in popular Little India can now operate their businesses smoothly after the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has completed the road upgrading works in the vicinity while the construction of an arch is still in progress.
Little India is abuzz with people flocking there to shop for clothes and decorations for Deepavali. The festival falls on Oct 24 this year.
The road upgrading works from Market Street to Penang Street, which cost about RM406,000 were completed on Aug 31 this year. The upgrading works started on April 1.
Meanwhile, the construction of an arch in Little India is still in progress. It is scheduled to be completed by Nov 30. The works began on July 1 this year. The cost of the arch is about RM588.000.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who visited the area under the ‘Jelajah ❤️ Penang’ programme, commended MBPP for the efforts undertaken.
“The state expresses its gratitude to MBPP for its commitment to upgrade the road for the convenience of pedestrians and road users, especially during flash floods.
“The drainage system has been widened and the pedestrians would now have better accessibility along the pathway.
“On top of that, we are happy to note that the new arch is set to be an iconic landmark and welcome visitors to Little India once it is completed next month,” he said during his visit to Little India.
Chow also commended the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) for initiating the arch’s design works.
Earlier, Chow and those present, were briefed by MBPP secretary Datuk A. Rajendran.
Others present included Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis