Business owners, residents and visitors to Brickfields are still waiting for the car park located at the junction of Jalan Thambipillay, opposite the POS Malaysia office, to help in reducing illegal and haphazard parking in the area.
“It’s a nightmare finding parking during peaks hours around Brickfields. There aren’t many parking lots and this car park will definitely benefit the residents and visitors to the area,” Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman SKK Naidu said.
According to Naidu DBKL informed the stakeholders that the delay was caused by the shifting of underground utilities and the diversion of several Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) pipes.
“This should be resolved immediately by City Hall and IWK. The local authority should give us a time frame, as to when the car park will be opened,” he said.
Naidu added that motorists must utilise the car park, and not resort to illegal parking that causes traffic congestion along Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
“There should not be any more excuses for illegal parking in the area. The multi-storey car park should be able to accommodate a lot of vehicles once it opens.
“City Hall should also conduct stricter enforcement on those who are found to be parking their vehicles illegally.
“The local authority should not only issue compounds but start towing vehicles as well. This illegal parking has been a long-standing issue here,” he said.
He added that City Hall should also look at the parking rates and ensure the fees are reasonable in the new multi-storey car park.
“The rates should be flexible if not motorists will continue to park their vehicles illegally,” he said.
Little India Petty Traders Association president G Gunasegaran agreed that the car park should be opened soon.
“Many people frequent the Little India area, either for the variety of Indian food or shopping.
“Most of the time they have no choice, but to park illegally at any street corner they can find.
“This new car park will definitely help to ease congestion and double parking in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, DBKL Project Implementation and Building Maintenance director Zin Omar said the car park will be opened once they get the approval from IWK.
“We have completed the project and we are in the process of getting the approval from IWK. Once their inspection is done, then the architect can issue the Certificate of Completion and Compliance.
“We will then hand over the building to the management department. We hope to open the car park soon,” he said.
The car park complex will have 327 parking bays, including four bays for the disabled and 51 motorcycle parking bays. The complex also includes a community hall that is able to host functions with a maximum capacity of 500 people.
The car park will be managed by DBKL’s Finance Department but the day-to-day operations will be outsourced.