WITH more than a million people expected to throng Batu Caves for Thaipusam, cleanup efforts are starting a week ahead in anticipation of a surge in waste.
From Feb 3 to 17, the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) will deploy a team of workers with additional bins to keep the area clean.
Thaipusam falls on Feb 11.
This year, RM137,000 has been allocated for waste management outside the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, MPS said in a statement to StarMetro.
“Besides extending the cleanup period, MPS is increasing the number of roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) bins and 240-litre mobile rubbish bins to ensure all waste are managed efficiently.
“There will be 36 cleaners working in shifts to handle waste collection in the Batu Caves temple area.”
Last year, RM160,000 was spent to manage 74.6 tonnes of waste.
MPS said 260 personnel from various departments would be on duty throughout the period.
This year, MPS is offering 298 temporary trading lots outside the temple compound to the public via balloting.
“About 15 lots will be allocated to associations for people with disabilities while 283 lots are allotted to barbers and for general traders, including those selling food and drinks.
“Of this number, 101 lots are categorised as ‘hotspot’ lots as they are located at high human traffic areas,” said MPS.
As in previous years, the council said only vegetarian food could be sold, while the ban on alcohol would be strictly enforced.
“Traders are not allowed to sell vuvuzela horns that produce loud noises, ghost masks or frightening face coverings.”
Each trading permit costs RM240 whereas those shaving heads will pay RM312.
At hotspot locations, permits cost RM600 for regular traders and RM720 for those providing head-shaving services.
Food and drink vendors are required to be vaccinated against typhoid and certified for handling food.
MPS stated that the balloting for the lots would be carried out on Feb 4. Traders would be allowed to operate from Feb 8 to 12. ― By SHALINI RAVINDRAN
