Brickfields to have new look, costing about RM30 million, says Deputy FT Minister Saravanan, pending PM Najib’s approval (news just in time for certain by-elections, some cynics may claim). its expected to be complete in 6 months.

Among the changes mentioned by Saravanan:

– widening of the inner roads in Brickfields,

–  beautification of Jalan Berhala.

– tiled pavements and public walkways and new street lighting that can be seen in various locations in the township

– to convert the main roads into one-way streets

– an entrance archway located at the tailend of Jalan Brickfields near the Naga restaurant and the Brickfields police station

– a fountain at the junction of Jalan Travers and Brickfields.

– information pavilion and food bazaars in Jalan Chan Ah Tong

– fruit kiosks in Jalan Thamby Abdullah

– flower kiosks behind the KFC.

– Hawkers and petty traders will be relocated to a food court

– multi-storey car parks will be built.

Saravanan said most of the temples in Brickfields would not be affected by the development plans, but added that alternative sites would be provided if they were.

Saravanan cited the Sivan temple in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad as an example which needed to make way to facilitate the widening of Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, but added that an alternative site had already been identified nearby.

There’s also a new traffic management plan being put in place, costing RM110 million. The plan, undertaken by the Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd, started in June and is expected to be completed in 2011. It involves a major traffic dispersal scheme for the KL Sentral and Brickfields areas.The project includes:

– an overpass at the Jalan Travers-Jalan Bangsar interchange,

– a ramp connecting KL Sentral to the Mahameru Highway.

– road-widening and upgrading work along Jalan Tun Sambanthan and the other connecting roads in the area.

– One of the key changes is a one-way traffic flow along Jalan Tun Sambanthan leading to Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3 (next to the Mobil station) and Jalan Padang Belia and Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4 before connecting to Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and Jalan Berhala.

The plan received good comments from the public and business community:

KL Starail Stesen Monorail representative Gobal Rajee said the move to recognise Brickfields was timely and hoped the project would be speeded up.

Indian Petty Traders Association Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya president Jothy Appalasamy said it would be a moral boost for the people in the area.

“It will also be good for business,” he said.

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K Naidu, who lives in Palm Court condominium, said the idea itself was a good one and would certainly enhance the image of the neighbourhood.

“But, a proposal like this must be executed well. Unlike Chinatown in Jalan Petaling and Masjid India in Jalan Melayu, which are not part of a main road.

“Jalan Tun Sambanthan is a main road which is constantly busy with traffic. So any plans to upgrade it, must be thought out well,” he said.

Jassal Tandoori Restaurant owner Amar Singh said he was looking forward to the project taking off.

“We’re banking on it. It will definitely be good for business,” he said.

Most of the time, the development plans and execution end up not fulfilling the requirements and create more problems like worse traffic congestion. So, we have to keep our fingers crossed for this plan as well.

And would certain parts of Brickfields maintain its Little India look, or change into something more Middle Eastern, for example? Hopefully can retain its look and feel.