Congestion nightmare over Ramadan bazaar at TTDI

Not right: Traders ignoring the white markers of DBKL’s designated lots and occupying the parking bays instead

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro By Priya Menon, 19/8/2010)
Traffic congestion has become a nightmare for people in Taman Tun Dr Ismail due to the relocated Ramadan bazaar of Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3. Shop owners who face the brunt of the problem every day are perplexed that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall has allowed the traders to set up their stalls along a main road. The bazaar has been operating every year along Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3 and 1 whereas most of the night market stalls, opened only on Sundays, are along Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 4 and 2. Although they are sympathetic towards the bazaar traders, many feel the planning was not done wisely.

“The food is great, but maybe the bazaar should have been placed on a road with one exit point,” said a trader who wished to be known as J.C. Traders have also resorted to putting stalls on designated parking areas although DBKL has drawn white markers on the sidewalks for them to trade. There is also a carpark along the same road used by those working around the area and many sometimes cannot move their cars until the bazaar closes around 8pm.

Down the road, another shop owner, W.C said the non-TTDI residents were also caught off guard by the bazaar. “They park and come back several hours later only to find their cars blocked by the traders. I have seen this problem so many times. Some of the considerate traders move their stalls so the car owners can take their cars out,” he added. He suggested placing banners and notices around the area to inform others of the bazaar.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng urged residents to bear with the bazaar since it would only be there for a month but also emphasised the traders’ role in ensuring they did not obstruct traffic. “Traders also have to be reasonable, the last resort would be for DBKL officers to issue summons and take action against errant hawkers,” he added.

DBKL corporate communication manager Anuar Mohd Zain said the local authority would send enforcement officers to ensure the temporary hawkers adhered to the rules in operating the food stalls during Ramadan. “We will look into the requests by the residents to place banners to inform the public about the Ramadan bazaar operation hours,” he added.