A people’s representative here is demanding explanation from the relevant authority on the covered walkway project for India Street, where works seem to be on a standstill for more than two weeks.

Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei also wants to know the exact completion date of the project, which was supposed to be ready by Hari Raya Aidilfitri last year.

According to him, the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) has been repeatedly changing the schedules and postponing the date of completion.

“The works were supposed to be completed before Hari Raya last year. It was then delayed to Chinese New Year.

“Now the construction seems to have stopped altogether. This is posing problems to the business here,” he stressed during an inspection at the pedestrian shopping area.

Wong said many business owners, especially those doing retail operations, complained that they had been incurring loses.

“The usual shoppers’ traffic has shrunk significantly throughout the construction period, and this has hit retailers badly.”

Wong also expressed his concern about public safety at and near India Street.

“The incomplete construction is a safety hazard to the public — with many drainage holes being left uncovered. There have been multiple cases where pedestrians have injured themselves after accidentally falling into these holes.

“The state government owes an explanation to the people. Why were construction works halted — moreover for two weeks? What’s the reason?” he highlighted.

The India Street covered walkway project commenced in August 2014, with DBKU indicating that it would take eight months to complete — around March or April last year.

“It now appears that the project is suffering from significant delays,” Wong pointed out.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by THE BORNEO POST

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