BY ELAN PERUMAL

The LRT station will be built on the site where Block C stands (on the right) and linked to Block B (on the left) via a bridge. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

A SECTION of the 22-year-old Klang Market complex will have to make way for the Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) project, following a change to the initial layout plan.

It is learned that the change to the RM9bil project involved moving an LRT station from the front to the rear of the market complex in Jalan Meru.

The front portion has only an open carpark whereas the rear part is Block C of the market that houses wholesale traders of fish and meat.

The LRT project will connect Klang to the existing Klang Valley rail transportation network through the Kelana Jaya line.

He added that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd informed the council of the need to demolish Block C of the market complex to clear the way for the station.

Since the LRT3 project was important to the royal town, he said, the council had no choice but to go ahead with the demolition.

Block B‘s ground floor is currently occupied by vegetable sellers.

“We are looking at the possibility of moving the wholesale traders to Block B, which currently houses vegetable and fruit sellers on the ground floor.

“The first floor of Block B, which is meant for retailers, is almost vacant, so we are planning to make some adjustments to ensure the fish and meat traders as well as vegetable sellers are in the same block,” he said, adding that Block A had retailers occupying the ground floor and a hawker centre on the first floor.

Under the new proposal from Prasarana, Yasid said, the LRT station, which would be built on Block C’s current site, would be directly linked to the market complex via a bridge to Block B.

He said commuters would be able to go to the market easily, come rain or shine.

“The entire market complex will be connected to the LRT station and this will help increase business for the traders,” he said.

Yasid added that the cost of the demolition for Block C would be absorbed by Prasarana.

The council would also consider relocating the market to another area if the need arose in future, he added

The lots on the first floor of Block B are vacant and there are plans to relocate the traders from Block C to this space

We will have to move out and find a new place if the traders are not comfortable and find the market area too small to operate properly,” he said.

The public will get their chance to voice their opinion on the proposed changes to the LRT3 project affecting Block C of the Klang Market.

Councillor Datuk K. Deepakaran said Klang residents would be able to view the plan and express their views during the two-week public viewing period before the project starts in the middle of the year.

Deepakaran said the council agreed in principle to the changes in the layout plan as the market could still operate from the same area.

He said Blocks A and B at the market were sufficient to house all the existing traders.

“This is good news and I am sure the people of Klang will welcome the move,” he said, adding that the market traders were briefed on the new plan and they had consented to it.

Klang Market Traders Association chairman Teo Son Seng said they had no objection to the council’s plan as there were many vacant lots in the market to accommodated the traders.

Teo says the traders have no objection to the project.

“I am sure the council will be able to reorganise the lots and make room for all the traders,” he said.

Klang General Market Malay Traders Association deputy chairman Rahmat Jamil said the traders had not received an official notice from the council on the new proposal affecting Block C.

However, he said, the members of his association would not be affected by the proposed demolition as they were from Block A.

“We are all operating from Block A and have no objection as long we continue to operate from the same trading lots that we are currently occupying,” he said.

Rahmat is yet to receive an official notice about the proposal.

On Oct 22, 2015, StarMetro reported that the LRT3 Klang parcel was given a 1.2km extension with the inclusion of a station near the Klang Market.

Prasarana group communications and strategic marketing executive vice-president Lim Jin Aun said the changes were made after taking into consideration feedback from the public and the extension would cost Prasarana an additional RM350mil.

“The proposed new station will provide easier access to the wet market for people from all over Klang.

“A parking facility to accommodate 500 cars will also be available at this station,” he said.

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