Traffic congestion is common at the Sri Petaling commercial area. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
LACK of parking spaces and traffic congestion are common in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.
With several new property developments coming up and a proposed night market, Sri Petaling residents fear the situation will only get worse.
They are objecting to the night market site and at the same time, want Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reduce the plot ratio of mixed development projects.
Sri Petaling Residents Association (SPRA) chairman Tan Tai Tong said the plan to allow night market traders at the parking lots along Jalan Radin Anum 4 of Bandar Baru Sri Petaling would only add to traffic congestion.
“The road is already jammed with vehicles that are double- parked.
“There is a weekly night market along Jalan Radin Bagus 6 every Tuesday. We do not need another one,” he told StarMetro.
Tan further said that several proposed mixed developments in the area, including two ongoing high-rise projects, would increase Sri Petaling’s population.
He cited the proposed redevelopment of Sri Endah flats and two housing projects near Jalan Merah Silu.
(From right) Tan, Chan and Ganesan looking at the proposed redevelopment of Sri Endah flats.
“The current infrastructure cannot cope with the existing number of vehicles on the road.
“Where are the Traffic and Social Impact assessments for these projects?” he asked.
In October 2021, he said the SPRA wrote to DBKL Planning Department to reduce the plot ratio of the proposed 44-storey affordable homes project in Jalan Merah Silu from 800 people an acre to 600.
The association suggested an additional dispersal road connecting to the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway to prevent congestion along Jalan Merah Silu and Jalan Sri Petaling 2.
‘’We have not received any feedback since then,” said Tan.
“We worry that two plots of empty land along Jalan Radin Tengah and Jalan 3/149E may be converted into another high-rise development,” he said.
He stressed that a green space and playground should be built instead, as Sri Petaling lacked these facilities.
SPRA committee member Ganesan Yethiah said motorists double park in the commercial area despite the availability of multi-storey parking in Jalan Radin Bagus.
“Those who cannot find street parking will circle the commercial area, which adds to the congestion,” he said.
SPRA secretary William Chan said roadside hawkers erected structures on road reserves, which worsened the congestion in Sri Petaling.
