Over 300,000 people expected at Batu Caves

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 300,000 visitors are expected to throng Batu Caves in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration, which began yesterday evening and continues until today, says acting Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk S. Sasikala Devi.

She said this was based on information from the Batu Caves temple management.

“Since Friday, many visitors have been patronising temples in Batu Caves and the number is expected to increase.

“So far, the situation in Batu Caves is under control despite traffic congestion in the area,” she told a press conference after checking on preparations for the festival yesterday.

Meanwhile, she said some 1,888 police personnel would be deployed to ensure that the celebration at Batu Caves goes on smoothly.

DCP Sasikala, reported Bernama, also advised visitors not to park their vehicles by the roadside as they could obstruct the procession.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim, in a statement issued yesterday, said 682 police officers and personnel had been deployed to facilitate the chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariammam temple at Jalan Tun HS Lee to the Subramaniam temple in Batu Caves.

He said several roads in the city were closed and traffic diversions were activated beginning Friday night until 4am yesterday, as well as from 6pm to midnight tomorrow.

Among the affected roads are Jalan Tun HS Lee, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Tun Perak/Pudu, Jalan Leboh Ampang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sri Amar, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.

“People are advised to plan their journey and use alternative routes to avoid getting stuck in traffic congestion,” he said.

He also urged those with information on any criminal activity around the festive events to contact the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999 or the nearest police station.