KUALA LUMPUR - Pedestrians have blamed the authorities for the lack of planning by having to walk a long distance to reach their destinations following the sinkhole incident in Jalan Pudu on Wednesday.
They said they have to risk their lives and valuables by taking the alternative route laid out by City Hall.
Two sinkholes have caused traffic chaos at the Jalan Pudu-Jalan Imbi traffic lights intersection, where a 35m-long underground road tunnel to connect Pudu north and Pudu south was being built by City Hall.
A visit by Malay Mail yesterday found pedestrians facing a tough time walking from the Hang Tuah monorail and LRT stations to Berjaya Times Square — made worse with the high weekend traffic, hot weather and ongoing construction works.
What used to be a 10-minute walk has now changed to 40 minutes as pedestrians were unable to walk across Jalan Pudu, along the former Pudu jail.
Student Mohd Fazrul Khaidir, 20, said he and his friends were forced to walk from Jalan Hang Tuah, to the back of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters in Jalan Pudu, before cutting across the road and walking back towards Jalan Imbi and their journey towards Melia Hotel.
“It used to take me about 10 to 15 minutes to walk to Times Square from the Hang Tuah LRT station but now I have to walk further just to reach the same destination. It’s a big mess,” he said.
“I don’t know if my friends and I will be able to make it to Times Square in this heat. Why can’t the authorities build a bridge or a walkway to Times Square from the junction near the old Pudu jail?”
Customer service officer Lowell Yong, 25, said she was forced to take the longer route since the sinkhole incident occurred. She takes the LRT to work and stops at the Hang Tuah station before continuing her journey on foot to Jalan Bukit Bintang.
“It used to be an easy walk across Jalan Pudu but now I am forced to take a long walk,” she said.
Yong said her new route was inconvenient and pedestrians, including tourists who often flocked the area, risked being hit by traffic or falling victims to snatch theft as they were forced to walk along the busy road.
“We are not walking against traffic and this poses a big risk especially to children and senior citizens,” she said.
“I would leave my office quickly before the sun sets as I am scared something bad might happen as the area can get quite dark and dangerous.”
She said the bridge near Jalan Pudu should be improved.
“The stairs have holes between one another. I find it scary and unsafe.”
Swedish tourist Vanessa Merkme, 30, said pedestrians needed to be careful while walking in the area.
“It is very dangerous as vehicles are behind them and there are no barriers except some plastic boards in several areas to protect them,” the lawyer said.
“I cannot imagine the situation at night. How is the traffic flow in the area and are the streets lit brightly?”
Australian Taryn Appleton, 25, said the walk from Hang Tuah station to Times Square would be better if there was a bridge for pedestrians to cross from the station.
“The longer route looks unsafe. This can be avoided if there was proper thought and facilities provided,” she said.
A City Hall spokesman said the matter would only be resolved once construction work in the area was completed. The tunnel is expected to be ready by December.
“In the meantime, pedestrians have to make do with the current condition,” he said. -Malaymail
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