Its president, Ameer Ali Mydin, said although the authorities have assured traders and residents that work is in progress, the timeframe set for completion, which may extend to six months, was too long.

“It’s important that the work be completed in three to four months, by the end of the year.

“December and March, when Hari Raya takes place, are peak seasons for Masjid India businesses. Hopefully, the reconstruction will be completed by December,” the Mydin hypermarket boss told FMT.

Ameer said businesses in the area have experienced a decline of up to 80% in sales, particularly as the road has been cordoned off to allow repair work to take place.

He called for the city’s mayor to hold fortnightly meetings with all stakeholders to provide updates on the progress of the work being carried out.

On Aug 23, visiting Indian national Vijayaletchumy fell into a sinkhole which suddenly opened up outside Malayan Mansion. A nine-day search and rescue operation was carried out but had to be called off on Aug 31.

Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the operation was halted because of concerns over the safety of the rescue team and the surrounding areas, especially following the discovery of a second sinkhole nearby.

Businesses on the brink

Mohammad Arif, who has run his family business in the area for 10  years, said the road closures and rumours suggesting that the entire area was unsafe are keeping customers away.

“Many customers can’t enter because the roads are closed, and rumours about Masjid India being unsafe have scared people. The area is blocked off with zinc sheets, making it hard for people to pass through. When they see this, they take pictures and assume Masjid India is inaccessible.

“Tourists have stopped coming, and our regular customers have stayed away because they can’t access the public roads,” he said.

Mohammad said sales have dropped by 50% since tourists account for almost half the number of his customers.

Yunidar Jama’an, who has traded in the area for 30 years, described the situation as “unbearable”, sometimes going up to four days without making a single sale.

“Everyone around Masjid India has been affected. If sales were still at 30%, we could cope, but now it’s less than 5%.

“The shop next to mine is planning to close because they can’t afford it. Sometimes they tell me they can’t even afford food,” she said.

She said the area has suddenly become “dilapidated” with “no value left”, adding that on a good day, she only makes RM100, despite having to pay RM15,000 in shop rent.

“Who is going to help us? No one has come. Local politicians have not asked about our situation. No one.”

Trader Che Kamarudin Ibrahim, who has seen a 70% drop in business, said customers frequently call to ask if the area is safe, adding that rumours swirling on social media have exacerbated fear among members of the public.

“If the authorities, like the police, don’t step in to reassure people and announce that Masjid India is safe, the situation will persist. The affected area is being repaired, but the rest is safe.

“However, the road closures are a major issue. People can’t come, cars can’t get through, and there are restrictions everywhere,” he said.