KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic congestion in Bukit Jalil, particularly during concerts and large-scale events, has prompted the government to explore smart city solutions while refining traffic management plans to improve traffic flow in the area.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud had appointed consultants to conduct a Bukit Jalil micro-traffic management study.
She said the study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Yeoh said the study was important because Bukit Jalil is a unique event and concert hub that generates heavy traffic, requiring a specialised traffic management approach compared with other areas.
"We know there is congestion. Every weekend, whenever there is a concert, Bukit Jalil becomes extremely congested. Traffic builds up hours before the concert even begins.
"I acknowledge the problem,” she said when winding up the debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2027 at the committee stage for the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 2).
Yeoh said the traffic management plan for Bukit Jalil was also expected to be completed by February 2027 and would be audited by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to ensure its implementation was effective on the ground and not merely a plan on paper.
As part of efforts to find long-term solutions, she said the Federal Territories Department would hold discussions with the Digital Ministry to explore opportunities to implement smart city solutions to help address congestion in the area.
In addition, Yeoh said discussions were also being held with Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) to examine ways to improve public transport access to Bukit Jalil, including the possibility of establishing a bus transit hub in connection with the proposed Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project.
On a related development, she said the development of Bandar Madani Bukit Jalil was subject to the provision of infrastructure beforehand or concurrently with the development to ensure that basic facilities could accommodate residents' needs.
Yeoh said four planning approvals had been granted, covering the overall layout development order, Madani Hub comprising a hall, food court and bus station, Residensi Madani homes priced below RM200,000 involving 4,218 units, and Sekolah Madani comprising preschool, primary and secondary schools as well as special education facilities.
She said the Kuala Lumpur Mayor was monitoring the development to ensure that the necessary infrastructure was provided in tandem with the progress of the project before further planning approvals were granted for subsequent phases.
On pedestrian facilities, Yeoh said DBKL would construct 22km of pedestrian walkways in parliamentary constituencies across the capital, with an allocation of RM55mil, beginning in January 2027.
She said the project would involve the construction of two-kilometre walkways in each parliamentary constituency and was expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year.
"The construction of covered pedestrian walkways from 2023 to date has involved 29 locations, covering a total distance of 4.35 km,” she said.
She added that DBKL was also planning an additional 20 km of covered pedestrian walkways in the city centre to connect public transport facilities with commercial centres, office complexes and recreational areas, including the Botanical Gardens and Titiwangsa Lake Gardens. — Bernama
