POLO ground subterranean hawker centre - brilliant idea

Sunday November 13, 2011

Rep: Idea of underground hawker centre needs to be studied

By FONG KEE SOON
keesoon@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: The idea of an underground hawkers� complex at the Polo Ground is feasible but needs further study, said Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo said.

He said other factors must be taken into consideration besides cost.

�Polo Ground is one of the few remaining green lungs in the city and it�s also directly opposite the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negri,� he said in an interview.

In a recent statement, Jagdeep had said that RM270,000 from Penang Municipal Council�s 2012 Budget would be spent to renovate hawker stalls at the temporary site on Jalan Utama next to the Penang Hospital starting from January.

Penang Consumer Protection Association (PCPA) president K. Koris then slammed the plan, saying it would be a sheer waste of taxpayers� money.

Koris had said the better alternative was to construct a permanent hawkers� site for the traders near the hospital, and suggested an underground hawkers� complex.

Jagdeep said the council had tried searching for alternative sites but there are no suitable empty spaces along Jalan Utama.

�Six months ago it was proposed that the hawkers relocate to Jalan Datuk Keramat near the market, but they declined as it is would affect their customers who are mainly hospital staff and visitors,� he said.

The hospital has around 4,000 staff with more than 1,000 outpatients daily

Meanwhile, the hospital�s Board of Visitors chairman Lim Thoon Deong, who said the plan to upgrade the temporary site might add to traffic congestion, also supports the subterranean idea.

Lim also suggested that a car park be built there. �I had mooted the idea twice in press statements this year,� said Lim, who is also state MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau deputy chief.

Jagdeep said traffic congestion was a non-issue as the stretch of road in front of the hawkers is a one-way street.

He also welcomed Lim to bring his suggestion directly to the council.