Haphazard parking along Jalan Tengku Kelana leads to daily traffic congestion. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

THE Klang Municipal Council (MPK) should adopt a more people-friendly approach when redesigning Jalan Tengku Kelana, the main street of Klang’s Little India.

Independent Urban design consultant Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar said people want better public spaces and this should be incorporated in the proposed Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk to transform the main Indian business enclave in the country.

The heritage walk is aimed at improving infrastructure in Little India to make it pedestrian friendly and encourage more domestic and foreign tourists.

“It is a busy street and haphazard parking is common. New strategies are needed to ease traffic flow,” Ihsan said.

He suggested wider pedestrian walkways, removal of the road median and textured cobblestone pavers to make the street safer.

“MPK should widen the existing pavement to 3.05m to ease movement. Kerb cuts should be incorporated to allow wheelchairs and prams to access Jalan Tengku Kelana,” he added.

Ihsan added that the pedestrian walkways must be wide enough and with appropriate amenities to encourage people to linger.

“This would encourage more people visit and really experience the soul of Little India,” he said.

Little India Entrepreneurs Association president N P Raman said traders want a one-way traffic system to be implemented in Jalan Tengku Kelana .

They also said LED street lighting should be installed in the main road and back lanes to create a livelier and safer business enclave.

Raman said turning Jalan Tengku Kelana into a one-way route will reduce traffic congestion.

“We want the 350m stretch from Jalan Tengku Diaudin / Jalan Tengku Kelana junction to the junction of Jalan Taliair turned into a one-way street so that cars can park at designated bays on both sides of the road,” he added.

Raman said their proposed one-way route will enable those coming from Musaedin Bridge to turn left while motorists from Jalan Tengku Diaudin can turn right into Jalan Tengku Kelana or go left onto Jalan Musaedin.

“Motorists coming from the Simpang Lima roundabout would have to turn into Jalan Taliair and enter Jalan Tengku Diaudin via Jalan Mohet, before turning right into the 350m stretch of Jalan Tengku Kelana,” he said.

Tourism and Culture Ministry, Selangor Office state director Arshad Mustapa said the Heritage Walk upgrade proposal had been submitted for the third time to the Tourism and Culture Ministry for approval.

“If it all goes well, the proposal could be approved in September. Once obtained, RM6.5mil would be allocated for the Heritage Walk, under the 11th Malaysian Plan,” said Arshad.